A Test of Wills, the first novel in the Inspector Ian rutledge series by the mother-son duo Charles Todd, produced mixed feelings for me. The mystery was original, and the character of Ian Rutledge even more so. However, I’m not sure how much I enjoyed the tone and the pace of the story. I amContinue reading "A Test of Wills – Charles Todd"
Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark – Donna Lea Simpson
Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark was everything I expected from a mystery, and then some. It was gripping, riveting, and I didn’t want to put the book down. Complete with everything from romance to murder to werewolves, Donna Lea Simpson creates a whopper of a debut for Lady Anne. Lady Anne AddisonContinue reading "Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark – Donna Lea Simpson"
The Smuggler’s Daughter – Kerry Barrett
Usually, novels that jump between past and present are not my favorite, because they tend to be pretty transparent in their plot due to two short stories in one novel. While this wasn’t not the case with The Smuggler’s Daughter by Kerry Barrett, I did find myself sucked into the story and really wanting toContinue reading "The Smuggler’s Daughter – Kerry Barrett"
Sweet Poison – David Roberts
After crashing his car on the way to his brother’s informal gathering of influential men, Lord Edward Corinth is rescued by communist reporter Verity Browne, who happens to be nearby as she’s interviewing his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Mersham, the next day. As they’re disastrously late, and Edward was supposed to mitigate some tension atContinue reading "Sweet Poison – David Roberts"
Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder – T.A. Willberg
Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder was a bizarre novel that easily could have been several hundred more pages. T.A. Willberg introduces us to a post-WWII London where Miss Brickett’s Bookshop is actually just a front for London’s most secret, underground, and innovative detective agency. Housed in tunnels rumored to have been built by alchemistsContinue reading "Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder – T.A. Willberg"
A Canopy of Stars – Stephen Taylor
A Canopy of Stars by Stephen Taylor was both accurate to its synopsis on the back of the book, and delightfully surprising. My thanks to Taylor, an experienced author, NetGalley, and Sapere books for the advanced copy. A Canopy of Stars was published on December 10, 2020, and more information about the novel and theContinue reading "A Canopy of Stars – Stephen Taylor"
A Sinister Service – Alyssa Maxwell
The Renshaw siblings are into intrigue again in the latest installment in the Lady and Lady’s Maid mystery series. A Sinister Service comes out on Jan 21, 2021, and if you want to follow the Renshaws into another cozy mystery with an unexpected ending, you won't be disappointed with this book. My thanks to NetGalleyContinue reading "A Sinister Service – Alyssa Maxwell"
Maisie Dobbs – Jacqueline Winspear
I’d read a Daisy Dalrymple novel a couple of years ago (after she was married) before I started this blog/knew she was a series, and I didn’t really like the mystery I read, so I’ve stayed away from her books. For some reason, I kept getting her confused with Maisie Dobbs, which is why IContinue reading "Maisie Dobbs – Jacqueline Winspear"
Absence of Mercy – S.M. Goodwin
Usually, I can tell within the first chapter of a book whether I’m going to like it or not, and I knew after the prologue that I wouldn’t want to put Absence of Mercy down.
Murder at the Mikado – Julianna Deering
Murder at the Mikado, the third novel in the Drew Farthering mystery series, has not transformed into the series-saver that I’d hoped. I thought the first one was okay (see my Rules of Murder review), and I didn’t review the second one for you all as I didn’t think it was worth writing about (toContinue reading "Murder at the Mikado – Julianna Deering"