No 10 DoyersStreet by Radha Vatsal

 

New York City 1907. A lot of change is coming but for women it is very slow going. Attitudes are archaic and women wanting a greater share of the action, wanting challenging work will find it hard getting recognition and more importantly the permission to do what they want. In this context Archana considers herself fortunate. A liberal father who allowed her to travel alone from India, a husband who accepts a working wife, and in a profession like journalism and however hard her colleagues are on her, she is grateful for the opportunities to report on current matters.

Chinatown has always been a sore point for what it represents. Most people associated it with opium dens, gang warfare and unhealthy tenements. A move by the Mayor to demolish Chinatown is the subject of much debate and Archana is designated to find the human angle. A plot to take away the daughter of one of its leaders was not on the cards . Uncovering this story which led to the inner workings of City Hall, the manipulation that goes behind the seemingly good schemes being promoted for the city are what captures Archana’s interest.

Combining fact - many of the characters are real life ones, and the history of the city and how it ticks forms the setting of the story with Mock Duck, the Thaw murder case and Stanford White being focal human figures. How Archana or Archie as she was known moved in the world of journalism whilst being a woman and a foreign one at that was memorable.

Sent by Level Best Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Murder at the Orpheus Theatre by Irina Shapiro

 

Second time around for me with Inspector Sebastian Bell and Nurse Gemma. A rare night out at the theatre ends with macabre results. Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet are actually murdered in front of a live audience by an audacious murderer. The vials which they drank contained a swift acting poison.

Gemma knows she can get as much information or even more than the police detectives assigned to the case but she knows she is not popular when she does that and she can even put the Inspector in jeopardy where his job is concerned. Gemma working behind the scenes and the Inspector try to bring the strands of the story together. 

The workings and setting of theatre in Victorian times was not very welcoming to the artists themselves, though people flocked to see the plays. The artists knew their popularity was short lived and they had to find a protector as in the case of the women, or salt away as much money as possible. Not a very pleasant future to look forward to.

A well planned and set out detective mystery story. Very enjoyable reading.

Sent by Storm publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Two Weddings and a Murder by Alyssa Maxwell

 

Inexplicably Blogger does not permit the cover page on this one.

Phoebe Renshaws wedding day has arrived. A minor blip when Lady Cecile disappears for a while but is found. The lady is forgetful but she is vehement in that she was not offered tea. By whom and when she cannot explain. Everything goes well but the absence of Eva, Phoebes friend and maids beau is not easy to understand. When he brings the news that Chief Inspector is found murdered, it is an uneasy start to a joyful event especially when Miles is arrested on suspicion of murder.

The unmasking of the murderer lies in minor clues overlooked by the Detective and though suspects are there in plenty, the actual murderer had plenty of reason to hold a grudge. This was a pleasant cozy and a good read.

 

Sent by Kensington publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Murder on the Cornish Coast by Helena Dixon

 

Cornwall 1937. A beautiful village St Maws but Lady Cordelia’s father’s body was found murdered just dumped in the water and Cordelia herself badly injured, discovered in the Nick of time by her fiancée.

Invited by Cordelia to investigate the crime, Kitty and her husband Matt try to decipher whom amongst the guests is responsible. Who had the means and motives, especially since threats to Lady Cordelia continue in the house, despite all being on their guard.

The story was good, the ending was quite a surprise. The setting was picturesque, and the characters were varied.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Sent by Bookouture for a unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

A Slash of Emerald by Patrice McDonough

 

I have been exceptionally fortunate to have read books in a row where either the era or setting contributed so much to a story. This was no exception. 

1867 London and Dr Julia Lewis a trail blazer. One of very few female doctors in Britain. Richard Tennant a detective with Scotland Yard someone Julia is very close to. The Allinghams, established family of artists and writers. Like every family secrets galore and the bubble burst when Charles Allingham was discovered dead by arsenic poisoning, seemingly a suicide. 

No clues as to his mental state, no financial woes but Richard uncovers a web of pornography, prostitution, child abduction and more. Involving the highest in the land, there was no way this was going to be easy to cover up or disclose but the end denouement came as a surprise though with hindsight perfectly logical. 

Very well written, detective work impeccable, the mix of feelings encompassing the whole story was excellent reading.

Sent by Kensington Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Otger March Sisters by Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko & Liz Parker

 

This was a delightful read taking the reader back to Alcotts original of Little Women. One major difference - the story bypasses the fiery Jo and concentrates on the mild Beth, the conformity of Amy and the routines of Meg.

Meg in a loveless marriage. A partner John who has only just realized what Meg is going through and tries very hard to be supportive and understanding. Meg feels that she was manipulated into the marriage by her mother (and it was cleverly done). Trying to come to grips with the situation as it is, also overcoming an over bearing mother is not easy for the always obedient Meg. We have Beth, sick and looked on as an invalid without a mind of her own. Beth now wants to make her own decisions even in the confined space of her home. Mother has to find a way to deal with that. Then we have Amy’s story which forms the major part of this story. 

Amy is on the tour of her dreams in Europe. Painting, copying and sketching throughout Europe. She is also having a suitor, and she does understand that the entire purpose of this tour is to make an advantageous marriage and redeem the family,  the appearance of Laurie, the boy next door makes her confused, and her feelings veer between the safe Fred and the unpredictable Laurie.

Shades of LGBT very much evidenced in the story, handled well according to the dictates of the time. Feelings of all three girls also very descriptive and gives one a view of the character and strength of each young lady.

Sent by Kensington Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Graveyard Bell by Andrew James Greig

 

This is one story where the setting added so much to the story. Scottish highlands and remote islands, some with very few inhabitants, some only with birds - puffins and skuas. Turbulent weather, storms, raging seas and a very hardy people.

Tearlach born on the islands is back at his childhood home. He left years ago and has not returned, not even to sort the cottage out. He has plenty of baggage to sort out. A private investigator he is tasked by Lucy Patterson to find out what happened to her wildlife photographer husband. She refuses to accept that her husbands death was an accident. Within a few days the next death occurs which the police conveniently mark out as an accident and when a young man disappears with no trace, it seems very strange that three suspicious deaths have occurred in an area where deaths like this are rare.

Tearlack along with his assistants Chloe and Dee have to tread carefully. The local police do not like them hovering around and cooperating with them is not looked on favorably. Despite putting pieces of the puzzle together much faster than the local police, Tearlach has to step carefully, dealing with volatile characters.

The story apart from the detection held interest especially the descriptive nature of the islands added so much to the story.  There are side stories of Dee’s past and Tearlach discovery of a daughter hitherto unknown but they were almost distractions from the main story.

Sent by Storm Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.