The Highgate Cemetery Murder – Irina Shapiro

No stranger to historical mystery authorship (I’m sure I have her Redmond and Haze series on my TBR), Irina Shapiro writes an entirely solid novel in The Highgate Cemetery Murder. This was a smooth read with a satisfying conclusion on all fronts. Overall, I give it a 4.5-star rating.  When Gemma Tate’s brother is killedContinueContinue reading “The Highgate Cemetery Murder – Irina Shapiro”

The Tainted Cup – Robert Jackson Bennett

Wow, this was an unexpected treat! I was very excited to be offered The Tainted Cup by the publisher – my first of many, I hope. Usually, I am solicited by the authors themselves, which is equally fantastic. The Tainted Cup is outside of my usual historical mystery/romance genres, and in the related fantastical mysteryContinueContinue reading “The Tainted Cup – Robert Jackson Bennett”

Ghost Talker – Byrd Nash

While the luminous ribbon on the cover might not be that inspiring, Ghost Talker was a very pleasant read. It’s short, if you’re looking for a quick read, and is witty and engaging. The premise of a ghost talker isn’t anything new, but this sounded interesting, especially since it was set in France rather thanContinueContinue reading “Ghost Talker – Byrd Nash”

A Most Agreeable Murder – Julia Seales

The cast of characters in Swampshire is one of the strangest I’ve ever encountered, but it totally lends itself to the un-seriousness of the book.

Unladylike Lessons in Love – Amita Murray

I was approved pretty late to get the ARC of Unladylike Lessons in Love by Amita Murray, so I apologize for getting this out past the publication date. However, this review includes good news on all fronts so I hope she and the publishers will forgive me! I was gifted a copy of this bookContinueContinue reading “Unladylike Lessons in Love – Amita Murray”

Playing It Safe – Ashley Weaver

Thank you, Ashley Weaver, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the gifted copy of Playing It Safe, the third novel in Weaver’s Electra McDonnell series. I am leaving this review voluntarily and enthusiastically, as I really liked this novel. I give it 4.5/5 stars.  Ellie McDonnell is once again summoned by Major Ramsey, this timeContinueContinue reading “Playing It Safe – Ashley Weaver”

The Countess – Sophie Jordan

If the first two of my most recent NetGalley romances (A Gentleman Ought to Know and How to Court a Covert Lady) made me want to try writing my own to do better, this one makes me happy to sit back and be a reader. The synopsis immediately grabbed my attention, and I know SophieContinueContinue reading “The Countess – Sophie Jordan”

A Gentleman Ought to Know – Jane Ashford

Ironically, I have the first book in this series on my TBR list! It felt like I was missing a little bit of history while reading A Gentleman Ought to Know, so that explains it. I hadn’t known it was part of a series when I requested it from NetGalley. I am leaving this reviewContinueContinue reading “A Gentleman Ought to Know – Jane Ashford”

Snow White Red Handed – Maia Chance

Interestingly enough, while looking up historical mysteries to read, the Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery series by Maia Chance came up. I don’t normally go for giant twists on legendary events (i.e. murder on the Titanic, etc.) because I can’t reconcile the reality with the story. I don’t mind stories that take place and even participateContinueContinue reading “Snow White Red Handed – Maia Chance”

Bedding Down – Molly Garcia

I received the requests to review Murder at Midnight and Bedding Down around the same time, and I have to say that Bedding Down was my favorite of the two. Although it could use some polishing, I thought the plot was well-done, the style of writing pretty easy to follow, and the story teasing enoughContinueContinue reading “Bedding Down – Molly Garcia”