Ace Carroway and the Ghost Liner by Guy Worthey

Book reviews are subjective. I tend to rate books not according to how “perfect” they are, seem to be, or are said to be in general but rather to how perfect they are to me. I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

Ace Carroway and the Ghost Liner by Guy Worthey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Great War veteran. Pilot. Private eye. Cecilia “Ace” Carroway wears a number of hats, but it’s her inventor’s noggin that’s in need of titanium for an innovative aeronautics project. Her associate Bert heads to Juneau by water to make a metal deal for her, but after he catches the eerie sight of a silent ship passing by in the night, Bert mysteriously disappears in Ace Carroway and the Ghost Liner by author Guy Worthey.

I would definitely recommend reading the previous books in The Adventures of Ace Carroway series before diving into this seventh. As Ace’s motley crew showed up to search for Bert, I took note of how distinct the returning characters are and how often I could recognize which character was speaking before seeing his name. It’s been fun getting to know these guys!

While I get a kick out of the action in this series, I think that this time, my heart may’ve gotten the most noticeable tug its gotten since Ace’s suffering of a personal loss at the end of one of the earlier books. In this one, as Ace gave her grim take on “the ghosts of the Great War,” it got to me. Yes, I’ve repeatedly called her a bad, bad chick because her various abilities are off the charts, but it’s just as affecting to see different aspects of her humanity.

Now, I’ll admit I wasn’t as gripped throughout this story as I was with the others. During some chapters in the middle, the read started to feel a little long to me.

Nevertheless, the element of the overall plot that’s leading to the next, upcoming book in the series (*gasp*…Darko Dor—dun dun DUNNNN!) already has me on the edge of my seat…

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Here’s my review of the first book in the series, Ace Carroway and the Great War.

Ace Carroway and the Deadly Violin by Guy Worthey

Book reviews are subjective. I tend to rate books not according to how “perfect” they are, seem to be, or are said to be in general but rather to how perfect they are to me. I received an advance reading copy of this book for an honest review.

Ace Carroway and the Deadly Violin by Guy Worthey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So! What’s up next for Great-War-pilot-turned-crime-investigator Cecilia “Ace” Carroway and her motley crew of detectives at C. Carroway and Associates? Violinist P. Charles Derkin comes seeking the agency’s assistance, convinced that his violin will soon bring him to the same terrible fate as the instrument’s two previous, deceased owners in Ace Carroway and the Deadly Violin by author Guy Worthey.

For the record, cursed or haunted spooky-spooky stuff isn’t my go-to kind of reading, so if you’re like me, don’t be spooked-out by the skull on the book cover. While a character or two may be terrified at certain times here, this tale isn’t terrifying.

Just like the earlier books I’ve read in The Adventures of Ace Carroway series, reading this sixth book was like meeting up with a gang of old pals. Good ol’ Bert and Quack especially are in fine, hilarious form in this one!

Sharp, intrepid, multitalented Ace sure has picked a fitting career for herself, giving her the chance to strategize and innovate, to help folks in distress, and to fly high and kick some bad-guy patootie. And yeah, she has her moments of misfirings, shyness, and embarrassment, so hey. She isn’t too perfect, which would get annoying.

And I actually saw one of the twists coming this time before Ace and the fellas did. Score ten points for me! (Ahem.)

This author’s clever and zany style keeps me on my toes, and I can’t wait for Book Seven.

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Here’s my review of the next book in the series, Ace Carroway and the Ghost Liner.

Ace Carroway and the Growling Death by Guy Worthey

Book reviews are subjective. I tend to rate books not according to how “perfect” they are, seem to be, or are said to be in general but rather to how perfect they are to me. I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

Ace Carroway and the Growling Death by Guy Worthey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

World War I veteran and ace pilot Cecilia Carroway and her motley crew receive a new case at their detective agency. But the lovely actress walking in and reporting a stolen painting sets off only the tip of an iceberg—or the peak of a volcano?—of events in Ace Carroway and the Growling Death by author Guy Worthey.

This fourth installment of The Adventures of Ace Carroway series may stand alone if need be. But if you’ve not done so, I highly recommend starting at Book One of the series and following Ace and her ragtag band of faithful fellows from the beginning.

The whole bizarre, growling death business here swirls from pretty hilarious to on-the-edge-of-your-seat level, with characters who’ve become such a distinctive, memorable bunch to me. Boyish antics one minute, looming danger the next, high-speed or high-flying action punctuated throughout, and seriously, the restless volcano that shows up in the story is a character in its own right. Yikes!

And, as I’ve no shame in repeating, Ace is one bad, bad chick: fighting man and beast, quick strategy coursing through her brains, compassion coursing through her veins, and this time, a childhood nightmare coming back to challenge her mettle.

And the airship. Did you see the airship on the book cover? I’m already anticipating the next adventure…

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Here’s my review of Book Six in the series, Ace Carroway and the Deadly Violin.

Ace Carroway and the Handsome Devil by Guy Worthey

Book reviews are subjective. I tend to rate books not according to how “perfect” they are, seem to be, or are said to be in general but rather to how perfect they are to me.

Ace Carroway and the Handsome Devil by Guy Worthey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The adventures of World War I veteran and ace pilot Cecilia Carroway continue in Ace Carroway and the Handsome Devil by author Guy Worthey.

At this point in the series, much of what I could say would be spoiler-ish for anyone who’s not read the previous books yet. So a big point of my posting such a review is to tell readers: check out the other books in the series, then read this one, too.

Now! I will say it took a few chapters before I grasped a sense of this story’s direction. Once I caught on, though, I ate up this book as I did the previous two. I got such a kick out of seeing the whole motley gang back together again. (I mean, not “gang” as in “gangsters,” though this book does include some of those 1921 gangster types.) Besides Ace, my favorite of the bunch may be Sam. “Sahib. You should be more polite… Also, do not leave your solar plexus unguarded.” He just says the darndest things sometimes.

I dig it whenever an author has a knack for saying what I wasn’t expecting, like making a reference to “a rumpled trench coat [standing] there with an unshaven man inside it.” I appreciate the uncommon and old-fashioned flair to this story’s style, along with the fact that it’s not afraid to be a little, well…weird. I mean, come on—some mysterious man dashing about the city in a mask and a cape? For goodness’ sake! I dig it.

And as I’ve formed a habit of mentioning, Ace is one bad, bad chick. Even to the point where she borders on seeming too perfect, but then stuff comes up to show that she isn’t almighty or all-knowing after all. Ace needs help, and she has just the gang to help her! I mean, not gangsters…

But I already said that.

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Here’s my review of the next book in the series, Ace Carroway and the Growling Death.