Murder in Mayfair – D.M. Quincy

Murder in Mayfair is D.M. Quincy’s (https://www.dmquincy.com/) debut novel in the Atlas Catesby series, and, while I started with high hopes from the enticing synopsis, they became increasingly lowered as I read on. This book just did not pull it all together for me.  Atlas Catesby, usually traveling the globe, has been stuck in LondonContinueContinue reading “Murder in Mayfair – D.M. Quincy”

The Assassin of Venice – Alyssa Palombo

The Assassin of Venice far exceeded my expectations. You know that England is my usual setting for a book, but who can resist the canals of Venice? Amidst this gorgeous setting, trouble brewed and barely stopped. I give this novel four and a half out of five stars.  Valentina Riccardi is one of Venice’s primeContinueContinue reading “The Assassin of Venice – Alyssa Palombo”

Locked in Pursuit – Ashley Weaver

Usually, when I want to knock some sense into a character, I’m reading a dubiously written romance novel, not a well-written mystery by a great author; yet, here I am. Although a great story with a twisty ending, Electra McDonnell has never frustrated me as much as she has in her latest release, Locked inContinueContinue reading “Locked in Pursuit – Ashley Weaver”

The Persephone Code – Julia Golding

The Persephone Code by Julia Golding is fast and furious with some likable characters. The characters were the novel’s highlight, although they made one or two strange decisions. I liked how adventurous the plot was, but it could have been more intricate and mysterious. I felt that the supposed center of the plot was almostContinueContinue reading “The Persephone Code – Julia Golding”

Long Live the Baron – Nina Jarrett

I’m not sure how to start this review, to be honest. I try to be optimistic, but I struggled through Long Live the Baron; I would give it a maximum of two stars. The novel was promising based on the synopsis on BookSirens, but it fell apart pretty quickly for me. The characters were blandContinueContinue reading “Long Live the Baron – Nina Jarrett”

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”

Murder by Lamplight – Patrice McDonough

In her debut novel, Patrice McDonough creates an engaging murder mystery. I couldn’t guess the murderer at all, but I thought the characters could have been more robust. Overall, I give the book a 3.5-star rating, but the mystery a 5-star.  Bucking rules, laws, and expectations, Dr. Julia Lewis, through a loophole, is licensed toContinueContinue reading “Murder by Lamplight – Patrice McDonough”

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”

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord – Celeste Connally

Apologies, readers, as I read this book a while ago, forgot to write a review, thought I wrote the review, and am now having to refresh my memory on the whole novel. With that opening sentence, you wouldn’t think I’d be recommending the book to you but, we have to chalk that up to theContinueContinue reading “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord – Celeste Connally”

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”