Carole's Sunday review: A murder by any other name

Author: Suzanne M. Wolfe

Title: A Murder By Any Name

(An Elizabethan Spy Mystery #1)

Genre: Historical Mystery

Pages: ebook

Published: October 9th, 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

When a brutal murder threatens the sanctity of the Elizabethan court, it’s up to a hot-tempered spy to save the day.

The court of Elizabeth I is no stranger to plotting and intrigue, but the royal retinue is thrown into chaos when the Queen’s youngest and sweetest lady-in-waiting is murdered, her body left on the high altar of the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. Solving the murder will require the cunning and savvy possessed by only one man. Enter Nicholas Holt, younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell—spy, rake, and owner of the infamous Black Sheep tavern in the seedy district of Bankside. Nick quickly learns that working for the Queen is a mixed blessing. Elizabeth—salty-tongued, vain, and fiercely intelligent—can, with a glance, either reward Nick with a purse of gold or have his head forcibly removed.

When a second lady-in-waiting is slain at Whitehall, the court once again reels with shock and dismay. On the trail of a diabolical killer, Nick and his faithful sidekick—an enormous Irish Wolfhound named Hector—are treading on treacherous ground, and only the killer’s head on a platter can keep them in the Queen’s good graces. 

Historical mysteries are always a blast. Plus that cover is so pretty! I could not deny it. 

The story follows Nick who is a spy, rake, and owner of the tavern. He is put on the assignment to find the murderer of two ladies who serve the Queen. The Queen demands he finds this murderer before the Christmas festivities and before the court freaks out. 

I liked Nick even though he is a rake. Hector was cute. I honestly liked how Nick wasn't a super genius like so many of these detectives are. He needed help and even got some assistance from the Queen. He listened to her advice and thoughts to help find the murderer. 

The story was fun and I enjoyed seeing everything come to fruition. I was really unsure who the murderer was. I had my theories but I was completely wrong. Kuddos to the author! I was in awe when the truth came out! So good, so unexpected. The ending was good. I loved the scene with Nick and the Queen at the end. It was done well. 

There were some more modern terms used that bugged me a little bit, but overall, this was well written. I was hooked from page one and got this done within a couple of sittings (darn work getting in the way). 

In the end, I really enjoyed this story. The story was written well even with a few more modern terms and words used. The characters were intriguing and the mystery was done well! I want to read more by this author. I hope there will be more books in this series. I liked Nick and Hector. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Audio: A Dangerous Duet - Karen Odden

Audio CD, 10 h, 43 min

Narrated by: Billie Fullford-Brown

Published November 6th 2018 by HarperCollins

Historical Mystery

Thank you Harper for this review copy

My Thoughts

A historical mystery will always win over a modern one. It's darker, and harder to catch bad guys.

Nell is a pianist and she needs to earn money. What else to do than to dress up like a guy and play at a music hall. She is careful, and she wouldn't have gotten away with it if her brother had not been coming home late every night. Music is her passion and she wants to study and learn more.

I must say I was quite fascinated by her Scotland Yard detective brother. I would love to learn more about him and see him solve a crime, and hey maybe find that special someone. Now he is busy solving murder and thefts.

As for the story. Nell works hard. She finds that the owner's son seems nice. And then she learns something dangerous. Foul deeds at the music hall. Then the clock starts ticking. Will her brother solve the case in time for her to be safe.

Conclusion:

I enjoyed the story, and I do hope she writes one about the brother!

Narrator Billie Fullford-Brown

I liked her narration. Everyone had a distinct voice and she kept the drama coming.

Sample

Synopsis

Nineteen-year-old Nell Hallam lives in a modest corner of Mayfair with her brother Matthew, an inspector at Scotland Yard. An exceptionally talented pianist, she aspires to attend the Royal Academy; but with tuition beyond their means, Nell sets out to earn the money herself-by playing piano in a popular Soho music hall. And the fact that she will have to disguise herself as a man and slip out at night to do it doesn't deter her.

Spending evenings at the Octavian is like entering an alternate world, one of lively energy, fascinating performers, raucous patrons-and dark secrets. And when Nell stumbles upon the operations of an infamous crime ring working in the shadows of the music hall, she is drawn into a conspiracy that stretches the length of London. To further complicate matters, she has begun to fall for the hall owner's charismatic son, Jack, who has secrets of his own.

The more Nell becomes a part of the Octavian's world, the more she risks the relationships with the people she loves. And when another performer is left for dead in an alley as a warning, she realizes her future could be in jeopardy in more ways than one. 

Death Below Stairs - Jennifer Ashley

Paperback, 313 pages

Published January 2nd 2018 by Berkley Books

Series: Kat Holloway Mysteries #1

Historical mystery

Library

My Thoughts

It seems that you met Kat and McAdam in a prequel novella, and I do detest those. This is the first book, f the prequels. But sure it works fine without it, but I did feel like I lost out why they liked each other.

Kat starts a new job. She is a excellent cook and every dish she serves sounds so yummy. As yes, they are talked about.

Her new employer seems to be a d*ck. Ugh, do not work for him!

Her new assistant is murdered, and Kat just started this bloody job the day before! But she is a smart woman, she takes no BS. And she will find out who did this.

McAdams is a mystery. But he seems to be everywhere, know everyone, and can do everything. So he sure works for someone. And he is on the case, sort of. I really do not know anything about him, so no real feelings. 

Then there is  Lady Rankin's sister who lives with Lord and Lady Rankin. She did not take any BS either and wore trousers cos she wanted to.

But how on earth Kat got away being away so much I do not know. Your job is in the kitchen!

Conclusion

It was light, short, a nice little mystery, suspense and some romantic feels.

Blurb

Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered. 

Intent on discovering who killed the helpless kitchen maid, Kat turns to the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be. Along with the assistance of Lord Rankin’s unconventional sister-in-law and a mathematical genius, Kat and Daniel discover that the household murder was the barest tip of a plot rife with danger and treason—one that’s a threat to Queen Victoria herself. 

Audio: Murder on Millionaire's Row -Erin Lindsey

Audio CD, 10 h 57 min

Published October 2nd 2018 by Macmillan Audio

Historical mystery /Paranormal

For review

My Thoughts

I did not expect it to take the turn it did. Which just shows that if you do not read the blurb then you do go in blind. Which can be a good thing.

Character thoughts:

Rose is a housemaid. Through her eyes we get the New York of the day. She is Irish, she is from 5 points (well nothing new there, I know how the Irish were treated.) Then one day her employer vanishes. Oh and wait, she has like the HUGEST crush on him. That poor girl, she is really smitten. And me being a hopeless romantic I hope that one day then can have a happily ever after. I mean if he too wants it.

Rose was resourceful, she had courage and she wanted more. I loved how she said it, a simple More. She wanted more from life then to work work work and then die. Never leaving New York.

And yes there are more people too, but I shall not spoil it all.

Story:

A historical mystery is always more fun. There is a lot of legwork, a lot of guessing and a lot of watching for clues. And to figure things out on my own is way too hard. Not that I am good at it anyway.

Then there was the ghostly aspect. I did not expect that and suddenly the story took a different turn. Suddenly there was more to the world and the whole universe expanded. I guess I felt like Rose did, all whaat? And then wanting to know more.

Conclusion.

An interesting start to a new series. It works as a stand alone too, but the end promises more. Or at least I hope so. If not then I am happy with this ending, but I do still want more since it is by no means over.

Narrator: Barrie Kreinik

She did a good job. Going from accent to accent to upper class to lower class. Yes there was a lot of jumping between classes and nationalities when you are investigation something.

She held a good pace and kept it light.

Blurb

Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears. Rose is certain Mr. Wiltshire is in trouble, but the police treat his disappearance as nothing more than the whims of a rich young man behaving badly. Meanwhile, the friend who reported him missing is suspiciously unhelpful. With nowhere left to turn, Rose takes it upon herself to find her handsome young employer.

The investigation takes her from the marble palaces of Fifth Avenue to the sordid streets of Five Points. When a ghostly apparition accosts her on the street, Rose begins to realize that the world around her isn’t at all as it seems―and her place in it is about to change forever. 

The Angel's Mark - SW Perry

Hardcover, 424 pages

Expected publication: September 6th 2018 by Corvus Books

Historical fiction /mystery

For review

My Thoughts

Someone is killing people and leaving marks on them. And there is just one person who finds this strange. But then why would the rest care, poor people die all the time.

Nicholas is a physician. A good man. An honest man. And then he kind of looses himself. Poor man.

I find it hard to review this one without saying too much. I did not expect it to be this hard.

So, it is a country of suspicion. You have to belong to the right church or else!
A woman doing a man's job! Take her down!
And physicians doing what they think is best (ugh, medicine in those days wasn't the best as you can imagine.)
And when Nicholas goes a bit ...crazy, no one gets why. Idiots.

It is not an easy mystery to solve. Usually some clues are found in books, but here, nothing. This is a killer that knows how to hide and as the pages got fewer and fewer and did not know if he ever would find the answer.

And of course I never saw it coming, but how could I? Neither did he.

I wonder why authors like mystery books in Elizabethan England, because I have read a few. Weird. Must be a  good setting! And it is with all the things going on in the background.

Conclusion:
You will never see it coming.

Blurb:
LONDON, 1590. Queen Elizabeth I's control over her kingdom is wavering. Amidst a tumultuous backdrop of Spanish plotters, Catholic heretics and foreign wars threatening the country's fragile stability, the body of a small boy is found in the City of London, with strange marks that no one can explain.

When idealistic physician Nicholas Shelby finds another body displaying the same marks only days later, he becomes convinced that a killer is at work, preying on the weak and destitute of London.

Determined to find out who is behind these terrible murders, Nicholas is joined in his investigations by Bianca, a mysterious tavern keeper. As more bodies are discovered, the pair find themselves caught in the middle of a sinister plot. With the killer still at large, and Bianca in terrible danger, Nicholas's choice seems impossible - to save Bianca, or save himself...

Audio: Murder between the lines - Radha Vatsal

In the second book in the acclaimed Kitty Weeks Mystery series, Kitty is tasked with writing a story about Westfield Hall, a prestigious girls' boarding school. Tragedy strikes when a student named Elspeth is found frozen to death in Central Park. The doctors proclaim that the girl's sleepwalking was the cause, but Kitty isn't so sure.

Determined to uncover the truth, Kitty must investigate a more chilling scenario—a murder that may involve Elspeth's scientist father and a new invention by Thomas Edison.

For fans of Susan Elia MacNeal and Jacqueline Winspear, Murder Between the Lines is a rich and spirited novel with irresistible charm, combining true historical events with a thrilling mystery. 

Audio CD, 7 pages
Published May 1st 2018 by Tantor Audio
Kitty Weeks Mystery #2
Historical mystery
For review

My thoughts:

I have not read/listened to book 1, and I know that I often say it, but honestly, here it truly works as a  stand alone. The author smoothly sets the reader into Kitty's life and it is like we always were there lurking.

Kitty is 19 and works as a reporter at a woman's page at a magazine. Sure, she does not get paid and she works half days, but she loves it! She wants to be  real reporter, in this man's world. She is curious, nice and young. I liked that it really shows that she is 19 at times. That she still lives with her father and it dependent on him. That she does want to strike out on her own, but is not really ready for that.

What to call this book then. Historical mystery? Sure, yes, and it was light too.

The story then; A girl Kitty just met is found dead. She thinks it is weird and investigates, and this is what I love about historical mysteries, it takes time! She is slowly talking to people and following leads, not even knowing if there was foul play. 

And during this there is talk of war (1915-16), submarines and what Germany might do. Suffragettes and women's place in the work place. All neatly woven in  as she look for her clues. I liked that Kitty learned more about herself and what she wanted to do as she looked deeper into things.

I liked the ending, it was something to make you think

Conclusion:
I enjoyed it and I hope Kitty will have more adventures.

Narrator Justine Eyre

She sounded so familiar, and then she did an accent and I knew! Yes I have listened to her before and I enjoy her voice. I like her male voices and accents. And the friendly tone she has.

Kin - Snorri Kristjansson

He can deny it all he likes, but everyone knows Viking warlord Unnthor Reginsson brought home a great chest of gold when he retired from the longboats and settled down with Hildigunnur in a remote valley. Now, in the summer of 970, adopted daughter Helga is awaiting the arrival of her unknown siblings: dark, dangerous Karl, lithe, clever Jorunn, gentle Aslak, henpecked by his shrewish wife, and the giant Bjorn, made bitter by Volund, his idiot son.

And they're coming with darkness in their hearts.

The siblings gather, bad blood simmers and old feuds resurface as Unnthor's heirs make their moves on the old man's treasure - until one morning Helga is awakened by screams. Blood has been shed: kin has been slain.

No one confesses, but all the clues point to one person - who cannot possibly be the murderer, at least in Helga's eyes. But if she's going to save the innocent from the axe and prevent more bloodshed, she's got to solve the mystery - fast . . . 

Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: March 8th 2018 by Jo Fletcher Books Historical fiction /crime Helga Finnsdottir #1

For review

My thoughts:

It has been a very long time since I finished a book in a day. Not that I have not wanted to. But a baby makes it harder. But today everything came together, and it also helped that I could not put the book down and that it was so light and it flowed so well. Suddenly I was on page 150 and it felt like a blink of an eye. Who knew Viking crime drama could feel so light! In writing that it. In tone, eh, not so much. There will be blood as kin slay kin. Though dark it is not.

Helga is our heroine and she was awesome. She is the adoptive daughter in the house. Calm, patient and with a good eye for things. As she will soon learn.

Her foster parents have 3 sons and 1 daughter. And they all gather now. They all believe their father have hid a Viking treasure somewhere. They all have their own hidden agendas. This is a very dysfunctional family. Helga seems to be the only normal one.

Obviously there will be blood, and Helga is on the case.

Viking crime drama. Yes, honestly that truly says it all. Iceland, desolate, kin. Murder.

Conclusion:

So if you like crime read it. If you are a historical fan, read it. If you just like a good story (like we all do!) then well duh, this is a must read.

Oh it was just so good! I truly enjoyed this one. Writing that just flows. And a murder I could not figure out (but then I never can.)

Cover

Can I say amazing!

The witch at wayside cross - Lisa Tuttle

Jesperson and Lane have just solved their first major case when a man bangs violently on their door - and almost immediately drops dead. The police rule death by natural causes, but the detectives are determined to find out what really happened . . . Mr Manning was screaming about witches before his death.

The case takes them to Mr Manning’s Norfolk home, a land of mysterious Shrieking Pits and ancient knowledge. Mr Manning was himself a member of the enigmatic School of Ancient British Wisdom, and not the first to suffer a similar fate. Local gossip suggests that he was secretly engaged to one of the three lovely sisters who reside at Wayside Cross - but which one? Are they really witches, as the gossips also claim? And what does all this have to do with the mysterious Shrieking Pits and a mother desperate to find her missing baby? Jesperson and Lane, at your service. 

My thoughts:

Jesperson and Lane have a new case when a man drops dead on their doorstep and screams about witches. Intriguing. So they set out to Norfolk.

Yes this is book 2, but I do feel like it works as a stand alone too. You just read it as a mystery then, and do not know how they come to become detectives together.  But then who wants to miss out on that.

It really is Miss Lane doing most of the groundwork and we see things from her POV. Jesperson is out there solving things (and finding some amazing answers, I did NOT expect that.) She is a clever woman. I like them both.

As for the mystery. Yes who killed him. The 3 witches? Or are they witches?  The man running the society of magic? Someone else? Oh and then this baby disappears too. Another puzzle to solve and yes I sure did not solve it. I can tell you that.

Conclusion:
A nice historical mystery with a twist.

Paperback, 360 pages
Published August 10th 2017 by Jo Fletcher Books
The Curious Affair Of #2
Historical mystery
For review

A dance with Mr Darcy - Regina Jeffers

The reason fairy tales end with a wedding is no one wishes to view what happens next. 

Five years earlier, Darcy had raced to Hertfordshire to soothe Elizabeth Bennet’s qualms after Lady Catherine’s venomous attack, but a devastating carriage accident left him near death for months and cost him his chance at happiness with the lady. Now, they meet again upon the Scottish side of the border, but can they forgive all that has transpired in those years? They are widow and widower; however, that does not mean they can take up where they left off. They are damaged people, and healing is not an easy path. To know happiness they must fall in love with the same person all over again. 

My thoughts:

This one was tough, she really put them through a lot. I have never felt so sorry for poor Lizzy. Life dealt everyone a cruel hand.

Darcy never returned to Lizzy, though, not by his own choice. He was in a really bad accident and then he married someone else.

But that was not the really bad part. Lizzy was dealt a cruel fate by her marriage. Poor poor Lizzy. She was changed, but at the same time not. I liked how the author made her strong.

The biggest surprise in this book was Lydia. I actually liked her. It had been 5 years so she had the chance to grow up a bit.

Darcy and Lizzy meet again. She is not happy, but slowly they learn truths about each other, and he never stopped loving her. And she never stopped wondering what could have been.

I enjoyed this variation. It was different and they were different people now too. (

Kindle Edition, 180ish
Published March 21st 2017 by Regency Solutions
Pride and Prejudice variation
own

Incendium - A.D.Swanston

Summer, 1572 and England is vulnerable. Fear of plague and insurrection taint the air, and heresy, fanaticism and religious unrest seethe beneath the surface of society. Rumour and mistrust lead to imprisonment, torture and sometimes murder. To the young lawyer Christopher Radcliff and his patron and employer, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the prospects for peace are grave - and as Leicester's chief intelligencer, he is charged with investigating both the rumours of rebellion at home and invasion from abroad.

But Radcliff's own life is far from orderly. His relationship with the widow Katherine Allingham is somewhat turbulent and the cut-throat world of court politics leaves no room for indiscretions. 

That the queen's own cousin, the Duke of Norfolk, is found guilty of treason, it is a sign of just how deep the dissent goes. Jesuit priests have been sent to England in order to foment revolt but the threat of a Catholic uprising comes not just from within. Across the channel, France is caught up in a frenzy of brutal religious persecution and England's other enemy of old, Spain, is making preparations to invade. England is a powder-keg, just waiting for a spark to ignite it - and then Christopher Radcliff hears word of a plot that could provide that spark. The word is 'incendium' - but what does it mean and who lies behind it? Suddenly Christopher Radcliff is caught up in a race against time... 

My thoughts:

I have said it before, but historical mysteries really fit me. They have to work so hard to find anything, in a good way.

In this one Radcliffe, a lawyer works for the Earl of Leicester. And there is a plot afoot. Does someone want to kill the queen? Who can be trusted? Tensions between Catholics and the rest are rising. France is making moves, Spain is making moves. And Radcliffe is meant to try to figure out what is going on, and then there is the word, Incendium. 

Who was behind it. Oh I could not guess hidden players. But I enjoyed reading about it and him finding out more. His hidden agents, the help he got from the woman he loved. It does take more than just one man looking through London so solve this mystery,

The book felt light too and I read it fast, I wanted to know what would happen. Well obviously I knew what would happen, but you know, what would happen to all who I had started to like too.

Conclusion:
A good mystery, a nice little thriller. Great historical setting too.

Hardcover, 416 pages
Published February 23rd 2017 by Bantam Press
Christopher Radcliff #1
Historical mystery
For review

A perilous undertaking - Deanna Raybourn

"London, 1887." Victorian adventuress and butterfly hunter Veronica Speedwell receives an invitation to visit the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women. There she meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Accused of the brutal murder of his artist mistress Artemisia, Ramsforth will face the hangman s noose in a week s time if Veronica cannot find the real killer.

But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems, and unmasking her true identity is only the first of the many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural historian colleague Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer a ruthless villain who not only took Artemisia s life in cold blood but is happy to see Ramsforth hang for the crime. From a Bohemian artists colony to a royal palace to a subterranean grotto with a decadent history, the investigation proves to be a very perilous undertaking indeed...." 

My thoughts:

We learned some truths about Veronica in book 1, and by that I mean who her father is. *wink wink* In this one she meets another family member. I do like how she does not let it mess with her work. She is a strong independent woman. Also, she does have the right to be pissed at them, but she really is not. She is above it. But sure, it lingers.

A mystery set in a historical setting is always awesome. It just works for me you know. It's the atmosphere and the fact that it's harder to solve the case. It takes more legwork too.

Anyway, I need to get back on point. An artist is accused of killing his muse, so someone asks Veronica to solve the case.

Oh and she and Stoker need to get it on! Soon! But I like him, he is rather prudish at times. His family is something else too. But they are such a good pair, great chemistry.

Conclusion:
It was a nice mystery, I kept thinking I knew who did it, but like always I just suspected everyone so that is kind of cheating ;)

Cover
Eh

Paperback, 320 pages
Published January 10th 2017 by Titan Books Ltd
Veronica Speedwell #2
Historical mystery
For review

Murder at Sorrow's Crown - Steven Savile and Robert Greenberger

It is July 1881, and a frantic mother comes to 221B Baker Street, begging Sherlock Holmes to find her son. A naval officer posted to HMS Dido, he was part of the Naval Brigade that joined the Natal Field Force to fight the Boers. But he did not return with his men, and is being denounced as a deserter.

So begins a twisting tale of assassination, diamond mines and military cover-ups. Can Holmes and Watson uncover the truth, a truth that threatens the very fabric of the British Empire? 


My thoughts:
You know what, I have actually never read a book about Sherlock Holmes. Ok one, but let us not count the monster one. There might have been another mashup too.

I imagine you know about Sherlock Holmes, if not, then you are kind of living under a rock. I am not gonna explain him. He is eccentric, to say the least.

And then there is Watson, and they do compliment each other so well.

This mystery is about a mother wanting answers. And they dig deep and it gets complicated. There is the Boer war, political intrigues and conspiracies. All while trying to find out what happened to a soldier...

I enjoyed the book. It was light, there were a good mystery and Holmes and Watson is quite the pair.

• 
  
• Paperback, 320 pages
• Published September 13th 2016 by Titan Books
• Historical mystery
• For review

Carole's Sunday Review: Paradox forged in blood - Mary Frances Fisher

Author: Mary Frances Fisher

Title: Paradox Forged in Blood

Genre: Historical Fiction and Mystery

Pages: ebook

First Published: August 24th 2016

Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion.)

A murder on Millionaire’s Row. 

A killer's chilling words, "Shh. I know where you live.” 

A woman tormented by her guilt-ridden past. 

A historical murder mystery, Paradox Forged in Blood is set in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 1930s. Four decades after the murder of socialite Louis Sheridan, the cold case is resurrected with receipt of new evidence that transports detectives back to Nazi Germany. The only living witness, Ellen O’Malley, must confront a haunting secret and her complicit actions.

I legitimately finished this in two sittings. It was addicting. Not only was there the main murder mystery, but there were so many other mysteries at play. 

There were lots of stories and lots of characters at play. Sometimes it was confusing to remember who was who and who's story we were on. Lots of jumping around, but the author did a decent job keeping the reader on track. Everyone was connected in some way and seemed realistic. It was pretty cool how the author intertwined everyone. 

A part of me wished that the story stayed focused on Ellen's and maybe Frank's POV, but the story wouldn't have had all all the extra mysteries and story-lines involved. I did really like Sadie. However, there were some slow parts that could have been cut in order to keep the plot moving along. It sucks having to cut things, but sometimes its needed. It didn't hurt the story for me, because I LOVE people stories, but from a writing stand-point the plot was staled at some points. 

Now...the main mystery was the murder mystery. This was a headache to solve, but I pretty much guessed who it was, but I didn't realize WHO the murderer was....hard to explain, but the twist about the murderer was a shock. I didn't see it coming!! I had a different theory, but I knew it was a stretch. 

The mystery of baby Patrick frustrated me too and I had no idea. 

The mystery of Sadie's twin seemed an easy one, but the author got me there. 

The robbery mystery tied in nicely and it was who I thought it was going to be.

Was that all of them?  I can't remember now, but there was a lot going on at times, but the ending tied up everything nicely and I feel all the loose ends were knotted well. I'm glad the author revisited everything to make sure everything was nicely tied up. I hate loose ends!

In the end, this was a fun book. Lots of stories and lots of mysteries. Time does have a weird way of bringing out the truth and revealing mysteries. It may take decades or longer, but someday the truth will be dug up. There will some hiccups in the pace of the story, but overall I really did like this. I highly recommend it for people looking for a good people story and mystery novel. Out of five stars, I will stamp it with three. 

Carole's Sunda Review: The Ninja's Daughter - Susan Spann

Author: Susan Spann

Title: The Ninja's Daughter (Shinobi Mystery #4)

Genre: Historical Fiction & Mystery

Pages: 230

First Published: August 2nd 2016

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for an honest and unbiased opinion)

Autumn, 1565: When an actor's daughter is murdered on the banks of Kyoto's Kamo River, master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo are the victim's only hope for justice. 

As political tensions rise in the wake of the shogun's recent death, and rival warlords threaten war, the Kyoto police forbid an investigation of the killing, to keep the peace--but Hiro has a personal connection to the girl, and must avenge her. The secret investigation leads Hiro and Father Mateo deep into the exclusive world of Kyoto's theater guilds, where they quickly learn that nothing, and no one, is as it seems. With only a mysterious golden coin to guide them, the investigators uncover a forbidden love affair, a missing mask, and a dangerous link to corruption within the Kyoto police department that leaves Hiro and Father Mateo running for their lives.

Here I go again reading a series out of order. I swear - I am notorious for this. I will have to go back and read the others, because I want to know how we got here. I want to know more about the other crimes Hiro and Father Mateo have solved. I want more backstory about Hiro as well. 

This does decent as a stand alone. There are some references to past events and some characters from the other books have made an appearance. There were a couple of moments I was confused and didn't understand, but overall, the author did a good job keeping the reader informed. 

What a good mystery! I had two suspects on my list about halfway through and one of my suspects was the murderer. 

The author also did a good job with bringing Japan to life. Such a different world and I love it. I am glad that Father Mateo wasn't an expert on the culture still, because there are so many rules and norms that Japan followed at the time. They were SUPER class driven and it is impossible to know them all if you were not raised there. So kuddos for making it realistic that Father Mateo did not know all. 

My question, though, is how did Hiro know Portuguese? Seems like a random language to know especially with Japan having closed borders for SO long. Perhaps the answer is in one of the other books. THUS why I need to read them. 

This certainly was a book I could not put down. I had this finished in two sittings. I had to know what was going to happen next! SO GOOD! I recommend anyone who wants to read this to read the first book first. ;) But if you want to be bad and read this, then feel free, because it does well as a standalone. However, the ending was cliff-hanger-ish and I want to read the next book that comes out! 

Out of five stars, I stamp this with 5. 

Temptation Ridge and The Body at the Tower

Shelby McIntyre has big plans—plans that include finding Mr. Right. Her dream man will have a clean-shaven jaw, creases in his pants and hopefully and advanced degree. What she gets is rugged Luke Riordan.

At twenty-five, after five years as her mother's caregiver, it's time for Shelby to experience freedom and adventure. Time for travel, college and romance. But when she visits Virgin River, she runs into Luke Riordan, decidedly not whom she has in mind.

A handsome Blackhawk pilot, Luke exited the army after twenty years, four wars and having been shot out of the sky three times. At thirty-eight he's tough and jaded. His major was in one-night stands, with a minor in commitment avoidance.

Technically, these two are all wrong for one another. But sometimes what you want and what you need are two different things…two very good things. 

My thoughts:

I always said I would read a Carr, and now I did.

But so many stories and people! And since it's a series, I mean yikes how many people showed up! I did not feel lost, I just wished it could have been more focused on Luke and Shelby. Now I had to care about a bunch of other peeps too. Like Shelby's uncle who is having a romance with a a movie star. And this woman who meets a doctor (can't say more there). And then there are people who found love in previous books.

Shelby, a 25 year old who has not lived, but taken care of her mother, is the one looking for love.

And then there is a 38 year old veteran who is all, no love for me. You know one of those men who thinks they know best, and you just wanna hit them (fine, yes I want to hit everyone!). Because they always think they know what the woman should do, but in reality everyone is happier as it is.

So they meet, fall in love, have their romance in this small knit community. They have their drama and then they live happily ever after.

Conclusion:
Good

Cover
meh

Paperback, 400 pages
Published June 22nd 2010 by Mira (first published 2009)
Virgin River #6
Contemporary romance
'Own

Now nearly a full-fledged member of the Agency, the all-female detective unit operating out of Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls, Mary Quinn is back for another action-packed adventure. Disguised as a poor apprentice builder and a boy, she must brave the grimy underbelly of Victorian London - as well as childhood fear, hunger, and constant want - to unmask the identity of a murderer. Assigned to monitor a building site on the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, Mary earns the confidence of the work crew, inching ever nearer her suspect. But if an irresistible desire to help the city's needy doesn't distract her and jeopardize her cover, unexpectedly meeting up with an old friend - or flame - just might.

A suspenseful and evocative window into a fascinating moment in history, The Body at the Tower is the much-anticipated second outing with a daring young detective. 

My thoughts:

I did not read book 1, but I felt it worked anyway. I quickly got into the world, but of course when this guy showed up I did wonder what had happened between them in book 1.

BUT, I know they said she was not big, but still, how does a 17 year old get away pretending to be a 12 year old? See I never get that in books, mostly cos when I was 12 I could not have played a 12 year old boy. Damn, they were short, it took them to like 16 to get near me in height. And then there is the whole thing that something recognizes her and likes her and I was all euwww, she is dressed and pretends to be a 12 year old boy. I know you know she is a woman, but still, that is nasty. I could not get behind that budding maybe one day romance.

As for the book...Mary is part of an agency of spies (women), and she is on a case. Who killed this guy, wow, the road there was long and I did not really get how they found any evidence. It was all too sudden. The mystery part was lacking.

Conclusion;
But hey, it was still a good book. A bit of a mystery, spying, weird maybe romance...still on the fence about that. And not to mention a cool heroine. A light mystery.

Paperback, 344 pages
Published 2010 by Walker Books
The Agency #2
YA (historical mystery
Own

The Somnambulist and the Psychic Thief - Lisa Tuttle

Should you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, crime or puzzling circumstances, think of Jesperson and Lane . . .

Should you find yourself in need of a discreet investigation into any sort of mystery, crime or puzzling circumstances, think of Jesperson and Lane . . .

For several years Miss Lane was companion, amanuensis, collaborator and friend to the lady known to the Psychical Societs only as Miss X - until she discovered that Miss X was actually a fraud.

Now she works with Mr Jasper Jesperson as a consulting detective, but the cases are not as plentiful as they might be and money is getting tight - until a case that reaches across the entirety of London lands in their laps.

It concerns a somnambulist, the disappearance of several mediums, and a cat stuck up a tree . . . the links with the cat are negligible, but there is only one team that can investigate the seemingly supernatural disappearances of the psychics and defy the nefarious purpose behind them.

Jesperson and Lane, at your service. 

My thoughts:

Miss Lane was a clever and practical woman, all good things in a main character. She realised that the woman she worked for was a fraud and left before everything fell apart. Not the most practical thing to do, I confess, but Miss Lane is lucky and found a new job.

Mr Jesperson was more the Sherlock Holmes of the two. He sees things others misses, he is an original to be sure. But also a perfect gentleman, and gives her a chance as his assistant.

They were a perfect mix and completed each other so well. She was the yang to his ying. I also kind of wish now that in future books they will fall madly in love with each other and have cute clever babies, awwww. But hey friendship is good too, just awww!

These two set out to solve their first crimes. A sleep walker, and mediums disappearing. Two cases that proves hard to crack. And it was nice watching them trying to solve these cases and the heat turns up at the end of the book.

Conclusion:
A great story, and I do want to read the next book to see what kind of case they get. Two great main characters and a lovely atmosphere through out the book

cover
meh

Paperback, 416 pages
Published June 16th 2016 by Jo Fletcher Books
The Curious Affair Of #1
Historical mystery
For review

Speakers of the Dead - J.Aaron Sanders

Speakers of the Dead is a mystery novel centering around the investigative exploits of a young Walt Whitman, in which the reporter-cum-poet navigates the seedy underbelly of New York City's body-snatching industry in an attempt to exonerate his friend of a wrongful murder charge.

The year is 1843; the place: New York City. Aurora reporter Walt Whitman arrives at the Tombs prison yard where his friend Lena Stowe is scheduled to hang for the murder of her husband, Abraham. Walt intends to present evidence on Lena's behalf, but Sheriff Harris turns him away. Lena drops to her death, and Walt vows to posthumously exonerate her. 

Walt's estranged boyfriend, Henry Saunders, returns to New York, and the two men uncover a link between body-snatching and Abraham's murder: a man named Samuel Clement. To get to Clement, Walt and Henry descend into a dangerous underworld where resurrection men steal the bodies of the recently deceased and sell them to medical colleges. With no legal means to acquire cadavers, medical students rely on these criminals, and Abraham's involvement with the Bone Bill—legislation that would put the resurrection men out of business—seems to have led to his and Lena's deaths. 

Fast-paced and gripping, Speakers of the Dead is a vibrant reimagining of one of America's most beloved literary figures. 

My thoughts:

I do not know a lot about Walt Whitman; poet, American, and then my knowledge ends. Sorry Walt, but you might have been mentioned or not. All I remember from that poetry class I took is Rochester, and my lovely WW1 poets. But never mind that! In this fictional story that blends fact with fiction we get to see him when he was a journalist and struggling writer, and not the famous man he will be later on.

New York, the 1840s. A time of immigration, cholera, a police force not always doing police work, a time of lynch mobs (those are so scary). Not a time of justice.

What we then get in this book is a mystery, Walt's friend is hanged for the murder of her husband. He refuses to believe it (and she is obviously framed is my first thought too.) He tries to get to the bottom of this and believes it has to do with the corpse business. Medical school needs corpses, corpses are dug up from graves. A nasty business. But I get it, they need corpses, for science

Then we also have the Women's Medical school where it all happened, and the struggles women went through to be taken seriously. A woman doctor, madness!

Conclusion:

It all blends together in a well written interesting historical mystery. A great era. A dangerous era for asking questions. But Walt was never afraid of getting to the truth of things.

Paperback, 320 pages
Published March 1st 2016 by Plume
Historical mystery
For review

The Lazarus Gate - Mark A.Latham

London, 1890. Captain John Hardwick, an embittered army veteran and opium addict, is released from captivity in Burma and returns home, only to be recruited by a mysterious gentlemen’s club to combat a supernatural threat to the British Empire.

This is the tale of a secret war between parallel universes, between reality and the supernatural; a war waged relentlessly by an elite group of agents; unsung heroes, whose efforts can never be acknowledged, but by whose sacrifice we are all kept safe. 

My thoughts:

This started with John returning from Burma. A former solider suffering from PTSD since he had been tortured and was now addicted to opium. Yeah, it was not good to be John. 

The setting was Victorian London. A very nice setting for a mystery if I may add.

And the story is about John getting a new job, a case to work and sets out to solve a mystery.

A nice normal historical mystery.

Paranormal things going on you say? Poppycock. John seconds that.

*read a bit more* Right, I should have trusted that blurb. Balderdash. There is no things like that.

No, this Victorian mystery just turned weird. And by weird I mean weeeird. There is more things under the heavens than you and I know. John gets beaten, finds an unknown world. Meets new friends, and that mystery is a slippery one. He does question everything and even I turned whaat? another time- Sure threw me a surprise there.

Conclusion:

So it is a paranormal mystery, and there is an ending. One crisis is averted, but more seems to be coming. Victorian London is not safe.

Cover

eh

Paperback, 400 pages
Published September 29th 2015 by Titan Books
The Apollonian Case Files #1
Historical paranormal mystery
For review

A curious beginning - Deanna Raybourn

London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker—a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth. 

My thoughts:

Was Veronica a woman of her time? No. But then why would she have to? There are always rebels. She had wit, courage and a no nonsense attitude. She loved butterflies and was an avid collector, and financed her trips with that. Oh and she had affairs, but only with foreign men who can not tell the tale.

She lives with her aunts (and now there are no aunts left). A mysterious man shows up and tells her she is in danger, she does not care, but goes away with him. And she ends up with another mysterious man called Stoker. He was rather brooding, had secrets in his past and a chip on his shoulder. I could see them end up together, since they could fit.

But the story! Yes there is danger. Who killed the Baron? Who is after Veronica? Who were her parents?

At first I read and enjoyed the book, but then I become even more hooked! I Needed to know who here parents was. It turned into a nailbiting one for me, I was so curious. It's a good mystery, and I even woke up a bit early to finish it the next day.

Conclusion:
Mysteries, danger and a woman ahead of her time. Interesting tale, I wonder what happens in the next book. 

Cover

Not for me. But still good and it fits

Paperback, 320 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2015 by Titan Books Ltd
Veronica Speedwell Mystery #1
Historical mystery
for review