My Lady’s Secrets by Katy Moran

Another of my failures of not getting the image up on my post. Very often when I really want the image to show!

Cressida and Lord Grenville, after a short lived, tumultuous marriage had parted ways. Cressida never thought she would need his help at all, because her life had taken a turn which for her family and friends was a downward spiral. Literally following a rag tag army she has now surfaced in London, and wants to enter polite society where the regulations are so strict, that you literally blackmail someone to do the honors because otherwise no one will!

Cressida has to entrap a man, needs Grenville s help and Lord Byron, always the wild card also enters the fray. At a house party in Scotland the three meet to find out a way to achieve their widely differing goals.

Very different from other Regency based novels, I found this a fascinating book. The morals, hypocrisy at every level, the way aristocracy controlled life on many levels was vividly portrayed. I liked the historical detail too.

Sent by Aria & Aries for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Bom Basilica in Goa. Very short trip done last week.

A Refiners Fire by Donna Leon

 

There are many strands to this story. Guido Brunetti’s love affair with Venice is a major theme throughout the books. The descriptiveness of Venice and Venetians is for me the first draw in the series, the police story is secondary.

Here Brunetti deals with the onset of teenage gangs and a steady increase in violence. Linked to this is an old story going back to an Italian contingent based in Iraq. There are coincidences galore which do not bode well for the Police. It culminates with the violent attack on one of their own which leads to all in the Police joining forces unraveling a mystery which has remained hidden for years. 

Beautifully written the politics of government service, along with corruption and ambition which may cloud judgement are also featured in this story. It is a commonplace subject but sadly very evident in every field of work. Meticulously detailed of police procedures this was good reading to see how other countries operate.

Sent by Grove Atlantic for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Under the Shadows by Tony Mcfadden

 

Fast paced you just barely skim a bashing and then you are facing the next. 

Private Investigator formerly Federal Police’s first case is finding a missing teenager. Following clues left behind by the teen, this was easily completed but the case did not sit easy with Nick. He discovered his earlier nemesis, almost by accident. Leung long thought dead and the cause of many deaths amongst the Feds is alive but Nick has to convince his former colleagues who think he is delusional.

Following leads to Leung involves thugs who have no hesitation in using rough methods to interrogate Nick. It however is strongly linked to the mother of the rescued teenager but Nick has to join the dots to uncover the scams going on.

Interesting story set in Sydney. Fast and furious.

Sent by Beach Nut Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The diary at the last house by the sea by Liz Eeles

 

Blogger does this to me especially when the cover is particularly nice!

A very well written story involving two families. The housekeeper and her family before her have lived in the cottage on the grounds of the ‘big’ house and though Clarissa does not like the subservient attitude of her mother towards the owners of Brellasham Manor, she does know her mother is not going to change, but Clara resents it all the same.

When Geoffrey announces at a general meeting of all staff that the Manor will be sold, Clara is furious that the loyalty of generations does not count for Geoffrey, who could have told his housekeeper privately to cushion the shock. Geoffrey’s son River has also returned after a long time, along with Bartie the over smart cousin who is in the forefront of pushing the sale.

River and Clara had a romantic history as teenagers but it seems a memory now as all of them try to deal with the sale of their home, and for River a move back to Australia which has been his actual home. Unraveling the duplicity of Bartie, looking at ways of keeping the property in the family and rekindling the relationship between Clara and River form the rest of the story.

Beautiful setting, descriptively portrayed adds to the interest.

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

 

Death at Darrington Manor by Nancy Warren

 

I seem to be reading so many books set in the 1920s. The subjects are murder and mystery and deviousness nothing of what is supposed to be genteel and respectable so that ultimately it seems a facade, especially the more aristocratic the family is.

Abigail is a journalist working in Paris. Her heart is set on “meaty” topics but her editor has kept her firmly on the women’s pages. Now sent to Somerset to cover a society wedding - impoverished, county bride and brash millionaire from America, she and her friend Vivian masquerading as her maid faces many surprises as soon as they land at the estate.

Firstly the headlines are about the ex maid Gladys found strangled in London and the attempted murder of the bridegroom when a brand new car is found with the brake liners cut. This is followed by the murder of a protege of the American family who was almost a second son in the family.

Abigail knows the three incidents are connected but no one including the detectives on the case are taking any clues she offers seriously. Abigail uses her ideas skillfully coming out with the suspect who was far removed from the original list.

Descriptive in both the detective genre, the description of social life in the 1920s and the divide that existed amongst the classes added depth to the story.

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

Murder in Mayfair by Verity Bright

 

Lady Eleanor, her butler Clifford always deal in murder. The settings vary but they invariably involve the aristocracy and this is where normal rules of law are very often waived, however horrendous the crime.

The very interesting part of Lady Eleanor’s stories are however the social commentary of the times. Way of life, the distinct division of classes, the living standards of rich and poor all mixed in with murder and mystery.

This story is no different. Set at the time of the British Exposition and Fair, Lady Eleanor witnesses a murder. Implausible in an area under high security, no body to be found but Inspector Hugh does believe his madcap fiancée. Involving a loss of an heirloom necklace, blackmail, thievery and Lords and Ladies, the story evolves into a who dunit in the best possible fashion.

Good entertaining reading. 

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

An Art Lovers Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman

 

George and Frances are detecting again this time at the request of Aunt Julia in Paris. Strangely once they arrive Julia seems to have changed her mind of why she got them down in the first place, and puts off any discussions for later. When Julia is found murdered during a crush at the Exposition in Paris, George and Frances realise that the deaths of Ducasse, Julia’s lover and father of her child are linked.

Put as legal guardian to Lissette, George takes his duty seriously especially since many things don’t quite add up. Lisette herself doesn’t trust her English relatives and till matters are sorted out, there are many escapades and near misses till the eventual murderer is discovered.

Paris as the background setting was good enough for me. Add the period setting and the quirks of the era like Frances being very conscious of attire and deportment in the middle of a ruthless murder enquiry, was good reading.

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

Short visit to Goa

 

I’m in Goa the land of old churches. I like old buildings so my cup of tea. Beaches were non existent because of rainy, rainy weather. The church buildings almost all deconsecrated were the compensation.

We packed a lot in four days. 

Murder at Traitors Gate by Irina Shapiro

  

Police Inspector Sebastian Bell and Gemma Tate have suffered unimaginable loss. Both have not come to terms with their grief which is always with them. Gemma lost the only family she had, and is suffering personally and financially after having served in the Crimea. Sebastian plods on in his career and the new case of the murdered Jacob Harrow is a complicated one. If he fails, he will become the convenient scapegoat for the Police.

The discovery of Jacob Harrows body hung on a meat hook, at Traitors Gate dismembered too was a message. Unraveling his background Inspector Bell discovers a long trail of blackmail - mainly preying on innocent people who have had a small fault or fall from grace. When Lydia Morton is found murdered, also dismembered the link is established and pieces fall into place.

The story is brilliantly written. Dealing with not just murder, the human aspect of loss, grief, the apathy and insular attitudes of the times almost cruel towards women are descriptively dealt with. London was not a good place to be for single women fighting for survival. The odds were heavily stacked against them. For someone like Gemma who was compassionate still is a wonder. For Sebastian to still seek justice is another. I found this book to be a page turner.

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

Details of a gopuram in India. The attention to such detail is fabulous.

The Mask of Merrivale Manor by Pete Sherlock

 

It is the 1960s and Ben a boy of ten, now orphaned moves into his aunt and uncles home with two ready made cousins. At the beginning he is awkward with the comfort and opulence of his surroundings but then grows into it comfortably.

Fast forward a few years and human bones are discovered. The forensics will eventually identify the victim, but Ben knows at once who the victim was identified by him by the shoes. The French tutor brought in by his Aunt, also sacked without a seemingly apparent reason by his Aunt. She was last seen with his cousin who  supposedly dropped her at the station.

The Mask in the story seemed a bit out of place for me. Its seemingly supernatural powers attributed to the family did not quite gell with the rest of the story. The characters themselves were very good with the Aunt and Uncle indulgent, self satisfied that their position in the county would protect them from the law. When it did catch up with the Drummond family it was a surprise for them.

For Ben it became a choice of family versus others. Others included justice which was not served for the nanny and Benjamin was manipulated to the end.

The obvious suspect was very apparent from the beginning but the actual suspect was totally different.

Excellent reading with lots of twists and turns set with perfect characters to suit their respective roles.

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

A Vicious Machination by Lynn Messina

 

The setting is one I like. England at a crossroads but many people hardly able to survive. The aristocracy had it on a platter - money, freedom, laws and judiciary which would invariably rule in their favour.

The Duchess of Kesgrave Bea , recently wed, is an investigator of repute.  She is trying to reconcile the illegitimate half sister of her husband with the family, but finds herself in the middle of a drama. Miss Lark, the half sister was found at a murder scene weapon in hand by a Bow Street runner who just happened to be passing by. An open and shut case particularly since the victim and the suspect had terrible history between them.

Bea realises she is against a formidable enemy but she is resourceful and brave. Unraveling a plethora and a history of blackmail on the part of the victim leaves many, many suspects in line. Each has to be investigated but time is running out. 

Meticulous detection is the key and the Duke and Duchess work closely to see that justice is done. The story also highlights the appalling conditions in orphanages, and the abuses that children faced by the very people who were in charge of them.

Escape To The country Kitchen by Hannah Longdon

Three sisters coming together with the agenda of saving their family home. Juliet returning from London with an almost broken heart and the other two with relationship issues of their own. Their AuntSylvia with the French chef (handsome and clever) have come up with their own ideas of cookery weekends, cookery school and a cookbook to boost funds. Everyone is expected to chip in, in whatever way possible.

Romance is in the air and mishaps are on the way but it all ends well. A light hearted read with mouth watering food mentioned here and there.

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

The Curious Secrets Of Yesterday by Namrata Patel

 

Between blogger and google photos at times, something happens and the image does not show. Ours not to reason why.

The story of three Indian origin women, all single, all dedicated to the art and more particularly the science of spices. The effective use of which can balance the ills of the body, help us mentally and generally be good to all. Tulsi the youngest woman is the only person who can carry this heritage forward, but she finds herself at a crossroads in her life. She doubts that she wants spices to be her sole focus in life, which is how it is for her mother and grandmother. She wants to broaden her life, find romance. Both older women are reticent in the extreme about partners and I found it strange that Tulsi brought up in Salem, never questioned who or from where her father was.

When secrets did come out, the trend of the story changed. Family dynamics changed drastically adding layers to what was a very closed family unit. Romance entered too but it was always secondary and did not change the thrust of the story. Family and secrets and how past influences the present. There was a social media hype which added a minor layer to the story.

Setting in Salem was unusual with the city’s history.

Sent by Lake Union Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

Find Me in California by Kerry Lonsdale

 

Two very close friends had a falling out. They end up in the same nursing home. One is almost at the end of her days and decides to summon her grandson to reveal her last secrets. Matt the grandson is bitter, distrustful of the grandmother who was forced to take him in but treated him horribly and does not want to go back. We have Julie who is the grand daughter of the other old woman, now with dementia, not knowing that Julie is her grand daughter who is in contrast devoted to her.

There are many strands in this story. Family secrets (which family hasn’t got them), a touch of magic which seemed out of place, dementia and the effect on families, romance and the problem of forgiveness and moving on. Sometimes the story got too complicated and intense and blurred as well. 

The book was sent to me by Lake Union Publishing courtesy of Netgalley 

The Basilica at Fátima, a journey I loved and am glad I was able to go.