Review: Another Fine Mess (Bless Your Heart #2) by Lindy Ryan
29 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Another Find Mess, Bless Your Heart #2, Book Reviews, Books, Books Bones & Buffy, Horror, Lindy Ryan, reading, Review, Summer of Horror 25
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Gothic Southern Charm and Guts
I’m very much enjoying Lindy Ryan’s Bless Your Heart series. It combines winning family dynamics, mystery, the unhappy dead and plenty of blood and guts fortunately tempered by humour. It’s a very easy series to read and quite refreshingly unique in so many ways.
Another Fine Mess picks up fairly quickly after Bless Your Heart concluded so be aware that there may be spoilers below for book 1, although I try to be careful not to include any if possible.
Lenore and Luna are trying to pick up the pieces following events from the conclusion of Bless Your Heart but they’re struggling, both to cope with the loss and continue to go about their everyday lives. Lenore eventually makes the decision to hire in help for the funeral parlour, a decision that goes against the family ethos but seems to be the only way forward. Luna is suffering from guilt and struggling to understand her own nature. And, at the same time the increased number of missing pets in the neighbourhood seems to be a precursor for the body count to once again begin to rise. A rare ‘ghost wolf’ is being cited as the cause for the latest bloodletting and as a consequence a local expert is called in but Lenore knows, she simply knows that something is wrong, she just doesn’t know what, until an unexpected houseguest makes an appearance to fill in some of the blanks.
I don’t want to give too much more away. Once again Ryan brings to us a charming horror – if such a thing is possible. She doesn’t shy away from a high body count, even taking characters that you really feel quite cross about losing, and she’s not afraid to paint the pages in blood, but at the same time she balances the gore with a good dose of Southern charm, strong family values and some lighthearted moments.
The pacing is quick. there’s no hand holding here. To be honest, I would say that you need to read the first in the series – well, of course, you could crash in at this point and I’m sure the author has done enough to make the story standalone – but, I think you’d miss so much about the family and frankly I think it would be more of a struggle so I would suggest reading the books in order.
I really like the family dynamic (and the unexpected guest – in fact I’m rather hoping for another appearance that I won’t elaborate on here). The main problem that the Evan’s ladies face is lack of knowledge. They’ve been told so very little over the years and it seems like secrets buried long ago need to be unearthed. To be fair, I’m not a lover usually of the ‘keeping people in the dark’ trope but here it really does feel more like secrets were buried rather as a means of forgetting and moving on than a plot device.
In conclusion, over the top horror with a Carrie-esque style ending – well, in terms of a high school end of term dance. A very easy to read and engaging series that I find myself really enjoying and hoping for more. A good mix of characters (although try not to become too attached because as I mentioned – ruthless author), a secret history waiting to be uncovered, a different take on some well established critters and horror that doesn’t give you nightmares (although, to be clear, there is no shortage of blood and death – just, it doesn’t have that scary vibe that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up).
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Booking Ahead/Weekly Wrap Up
27 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Booking Ahead, Books, Caffeinated Book Reviewer, reading, Sunday Post, TBR, Weekly wrap up
Books read this week:
It’s been quiet on the blog and I’ve missed one of my weekly wrap ups so today will be a double. Basically, I’ve had hip replacement surgery and so have been a little out of action. I think everything is going well though and I’ve certainly been doing lots of reading so let’s take a look at the books I’ve picked up recently.
I completed and really enjoyed The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – the audio book was very good. I also finished and, again, really enjoyed It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest. I read My Ex, the AntiChrist by Craig DiLouie which was another very good read that I enjoyed the style of storytelling and I completed Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan. I picked up and read about 50% of The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw – this one didn’t work for me and I’ve decided it’s a DNF. I really wanted to complete it but seriously I can’t. It’s just not my style. Finally I’ve managed to complete Fateless by Julie Kagawa – action packed and enjoyable if a little generic. This means I’ve completed my July reads and can move onto August review titles. Woot. (Although I need to press on with reviews now to catch up).
Next Week’s Reads:
I think I’ll pick up The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford and I also have the audio version of The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine.
Reviews Posted:
- The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
Outstanding Reviews
- Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
- Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
- The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
- It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest
- My Ex, the AntiChrist by Craig DiLouie
- The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw
- Fateless by Julie Kagawa
That’s it for me this week, what have you been up to? Any good books to shout out about. Let me know.
Monthly/Weekly Wrap Up/What’s On My Plate June/July
6 July 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Books, Books Bones & Buffy, fiction, June July, Month in review, Monthly/Weekly Wrap Up, reading, TBR, What's on my Plate
I’m trying to post a wrap up for the end of each month, mainly to help me to keep track of my reading and at the same time look at what I’m intending to read during the month ahead (inspired by Books Bones and Buffy’s What’s on My Plate.
This month’s wrap up post will be a bit messy again like last month’s because I’m combining it with my weekly wrap up.
Weekly Update
The weather has been glorious and with the summer comes more socialising. That being said my weekly reading the past week has been good. I did indeed finish A Far Better Thing by HG Parry and not only loved it but have already posted my review – a Dickens inspired world with wicked fae. I then picked up Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean which I also absolutely loved. I also finished listening to Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. I struggled with this one for at least two thirds of the read but I confess the final chapters definitely piqued my interest and the ending in particular. I then picked up and practically inhaled The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. A bewitching tale, a mystery and witches that feel almost akin to vampires.
Next Week’s reads
I’m happy to say that I’ve also started two new books, both of which I’m enjoying very much so far. The Enchanted Greenhouse which I’m about a third into and The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig which is my current audio book.
Reviews Posted:
- A Far Better Thing by HG Parry
Outstanding Reviews
- Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
- Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean
- Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
- The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
My Monthly Wrap Up:
Books read in June:
- The Countdown Killer by Sam Holland
- The Rush by Beth Lewis
- The Bodies by Sam Lloyd
- Swordheart by T Kingfisher
- A Far Better Thing by HG Parry
- Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
I’ve had a slow reading month for sure and looking back at my last monthly review I had 11 books queued up to read – The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater was unfortunately a DNF. I also picked up and started With A Vengeance by Riley Sager but it wasn’t working it’s magic – which was a surprise as I’ve been really enjoying this author’s work recently. From the rest of the list I’d already picked up and reviewed We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough which was great, the Shield and the Moth by Rachel Gillig I’m now listening to and Paved with Good Intentions by Peter McLean is now complete (I just didn’t manage to fit it into June).
Here’s what I’m hoping to read in July, in fact I’ve already made good progress as I’ve read The Bewitching and started The Enchanted Greenhouse. I’ve carried over The Knight and the Moth and I’m going to try and squeeze in a couple of backlist books if I can:
- Fateless by Julie Kagawa
- The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst – current read
- The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – read and waiting to be reviewed
- Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan
- It Was Her First House by Cherie Priest
- The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw
This month I’m hoping to go back to a couple of books from last October that I really wanted to read but didn’t have the time to fit them in. Let’s see how that goes.
Bookforager‘s Picture Prompt book bingo.
and the text version:
PICTURE PROMPT BOOK BINGO 2025 (TEXT VERSION)
| 1. A prehistoric flint knapped stone knife | 2. A lighthouse | 3. An apple on a leafy branch | 4. An archery target with three arrows in it |
| 5. A very large mechanical telescope | 7. A stag | ||
| 9 |
10. A sheaf of wheat | ||
| 15. A stylized sun with a human face | 16. A Roman helmet |
Today, I’m ticking off another of the prompts. No. 11 – the old mechanical typewriter – I’m using The Bewitching for this one as one of the characters is a writer and is actually gifted a typewriter in the story. The book she writes features prominently in the story so I think it’s a good fit.
The prompts I’ve crossed off so far:
No.8 – The ruins of a temple-like structure – I’m using Daughter of Chaos by A S Webb
No. 12 – A cluster of four mushrooms – I’m using Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
No. 13 – A fringed umbrella/parasol – I’m using A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull
No.14 – A chemistry set-up of bottles and tubes – I’m using Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis
No.9 – A Crab – I’m using The Devils by Joe Abercrombie – if you’ve read this already you’ll be able to guess why. There are some very unusual creatures in this story.
No.6 – A Human Skull – I’m using The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North – because this is about a serial killer and there are definite human remains included in this one.
Number of books read this year: 44
The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag, 2025
30 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: blogging, Book tag, Book Tags, book-blog, Books, reading, Reviewing, The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag
I don’t think I’ve completed this tag before but I’ve seen a couple of bloggers recently posting and I liked the prompts so decided to give it a shot.
I’m not sure who created this tag so if you’re in the ‘know’ give me a shout so I can credit them.
Without further ado:
1. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2025:
The Rush by Beth Lewis. This book could also have fit ‘the biggest surprise’ prompt. I had such a good time with this book. It’s beautifully written and highly evocative.
2. BEST SEQUEL OF 2025 SO FAR:
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett. This was the final chapter in the series and was a perfect ending. I highly recommend this series.
3. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO:
Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean – this is one of my June review books that I can’t wait to pick up but unfortunately my reading has been much slower than I anticipated, mainly as a result of more socialising and being very busy with visitors. This will be, later than I would like but, my next read.
4. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF THE SECOND HALF OF 2025:
The Blackfire Blade by James Logan. I absolutely loved The Silverblood Promise and it was in my top ten reads for 2024 so I’m really excited about this one.
5. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2025:
I’ve had quite a few books that I’ve had to set aside this year, which could simply be a mood thing. The book that does spring to mind for this prompt is Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou. To be totally honest I still feel like I want to give this another try though and see how I get on, even more so as I read at least half already.
6. BIGGEST SURPRISE:
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito – I haven’t posted my review for this one yet but it’s one grisly gothic story.
7. FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU):
Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. I absolutely loved Greenteeth. I practically inhaled it.
8. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH:
Nothing springs to mind unfortunately!
9. NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER:
I think the two central characters from the Emily Wilde series (above) – Emily and Wendell – are definitely up there.
10. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY:
None so far.
11. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY:
Vianne by Joanne Harris. Such a beautiful story, I couldn’t put it down.
12. FAVOURITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION OF 2025 YOU’VE SEEN:
Mmm, this is ridiculous but I don’t think I’ve seen any adaptations this year – what have I been doing? I’m sure I’ll think of something as soon as I post this.
13. FAVOURITE POST/REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN THIS YEAR:
Grave Empire by Richard Swan – simply because this was another excellent book that I can’t recommend enough.
14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU BOUGHT OR RECEIVED THIS YEAR:
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – I love the cover for this. I haven’t read it yet but I’m excited to pick it up.
15. BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THIS YEAR:
So many books on my shelves for the remainder of this year. I’m not going to list them all here because I’m going to be posting ‘my most anticipated reads’ very soon.
I’m not tagging anyone. Take this as an open invitation to take part if you so wish.
Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
18 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Books, Can't wait Wednesday, Christina Henry, fiction, Horror, reading, The Place Where They Buried Your Heat, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry. Here’s the cover and description:
A woman must confront the evil that has been terrorizing her street since she was a child in this gripping haunted house novel, perfect for fans of The Last House on Needless Street and Tell Me I’m Worthless.
On an otherwise ordinary street in Chicago, there is a house. An abandoned house where, once upon a time, terrible things happened. The children who live on this block are told by their parents to stay away from that house. But of course, children don’t listen. Children think it’s fun to be scared, to dare each other to go inside.
Jessie Campanelli did what many older sisters do and dared her little brother Paul. But unlike all the other kids who went inside that abandoned house, Paul didn’t return. His two friends, Jake and Richie, said that the house ate Paul. Of course adults didn’t believe that. Adults never believe what kids say. They thought someone kidnapped Paul, or otherwise hurt him. They thought Paul had disappeared in a way that was ordinary, explainable.
The disappearance of her little brother broke Jessie’s family apart in ways that would never be repaired. Jessie grew up, had a child of her own, kept living on the same street where the house that ate her brother sat, crouched and waiting. And darkness seemed to spread out from that house, a darkness that was alive—alive and hungry.
Expected publication: November 2025
Books and travelling with Lynn 