Murder at the Foundling Hospital by Irina Shapiro (A Tate and Bell Mystery)

 

This story which was emotional, sad and joyous too takes us into the world of orphanages in Britain in Victorian times and how hard life was for a great proportion of its people. 

Gemma works as a nurse at the Foundling hospital. She  considers herself lucky to get this job, and she knows she has to be careful not to overstep any of the rules and regulations governing her life as a single, unmarried woman. Her relationship with Detective Bell in its very early stages has to be kept secret as it can affect both their jobs. Her attachment to Lucy a little girl in the orphanage is viewed with suspicions causing distress to them both.

A body of a young girl, murdered in the laundry of the hospital begins an investigation which is fraught with difficulties. The Orphanage Matron wants it shoved under the carpet as an accidental death, not bringing any notoriety or press attention. Her focus more than on the safety of her charges, lies more with self preservation and keeping the sponsors happy.

Gemma from within the hospital has a better chance of obtaining clues as to who was responsible and despite the Detectives warning to stay clear, she pursues and gets clues which will link the very basic information they now have.

The murder and detective work was very well depicted, but it is the story of the orphanage its working, its rigidity and regulations that form the heart of the story.

Beautifully written.

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

Who Loves You Best by Marilyn Simon Rothstein

 

Dr Jodie Wexler drops everything - her husband (just fired from his job), her flourishing practice to be with her grand daughter Macallan. It was for one week and she intended to make the most of it. She did not think she will face the wrath and insidious jealousy of Grandma No 2 the glamorous Di, and a strange Grannie Annie a 22 something and a fixture in Callie’s life already.

Dealing with an amiable grand daughter was easy, but coming to terms with her role in the household was a difficult one for Jodie. Each character gave one light, superficial view to the world hiding deep insecurities and fears within. Jodie herself learned more about herself and her priorities and the choices which would suit her. After decades of pleasing everyone else, Jodie finds her own path keeping other considerations aside for the first time.

Charming read and an eye opener for self sacrificing people everywhere!

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

The Cursed Writer by Holly Hepburn

 

Blogger did it again. No picture and this was one I particularly wanted to show readers as it was so dull and didn’t do the story justice!

To new readers of the series, Harriet works in a Baker  Street  building society which has the same address for the fictitious Sherlock Holmes. Many believe he is a living person, and Harriet’s job is to ensure that a reply goes to every person who writes in.  One particular enquiry catches her eye and she pursues it in a private capacity along with Oliver and they uncover a scene which is quite unimaginable.

Mixing elements of attempted murder, hallucinations and a touch of the supernatural, the setting of Thrumwell Manor is very apt for the story. The plot is complicated, suspicions fall on everyone, but the final solution is far reaching.

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

Dear Aunt Addi by Aralyn Adams

 

This was a quirky read. We have a 109 year old with the entire history (and secrets) of the town wrapped up in her head. We have a nosey journalist with his own agenda, wanting to find out all the hidden details of his own ancestry amongst other things. We also have buried treasure and secrets.

This story is set in plantation and slave time Southern part of America. Very little is documented but stories passed from one generation to the next. How correct the stories are is anybody’s guess and did they get a wee bit mixed up in the retelling? Probably.

Its a rambling tale, can get a bit confusing but portrays realistically what plantation life really was, before moving onto present times. The events took place in 1895, we then come to the 1970s and then to present day times. A lot to cover.

Sent by Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Saratoga Woods by Elizabeth George

 

I’ve not been able to get an Elizabeth George book for years, much to my regret. That I got this was sheer luck. 

Becca King on the run from a criminal stepfather is abandoned by her mother on Whidbey Island. Becca is psychic, hears whispers which she sometimes cannot interpret, and this makes her stand out in the group of teenagers she has to live with. Derric of Ugandan origin and adopted and Seth a drop out and much maligned are her friends. Debbie becomes an adopted Aunt and Diana who understands the psychic part of Becca are her support system.

Because of her fear for her stepfather Becca cannot come clean even to those who want to help and when Derric is found unconscious after a fall in the woods, the local Sheriff turns his attention to the local bad boy Seth and then to Becca, the unknown quantity in this tiny community.

Dealing with teen angst, the way they think and react (mean girl Jenn being a case in point) the story weaves its way through small town America and how a community tries to help out one of its own.

Slightly different to this authors usual settings, this was still a very good read. One book from a trilogy, I do hope I can get to the others.

Sent by Elizabeth George for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

A Letter from Ireland by Ann O’Loughlin

 

Four friends gone their different ways but brought together by the death of one in their group. Her last request that they spend two whole months on the remote island of Scarty to reminisce, rebond and find out about themselves. It is a big ask. Each of them have professional and personal commitments which they find hard to let go, but they eventually do and get themselves to this remote area of Ireland.

The story pivots around Casey but the other two have stories of their own. Each of them have conflicts of being taken for granted, for being cheated on and in Georgie’s case close to bankruptcy. How the issues get resolved through closer introspection and facing up to reality and their own failings, how the second chance life throws at you should not be allowed to go astray, are all highlighted in this story.

Rosie herself had a life and secrets unknown to anyone and that in itself was shattering for all around her. That she could only come out with them after she died, was sad. But that is the story.

An emotional and joyous read at the same time.

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

Death Rites by Sarah Ward

 

Carla, a professor in archaeology has just started work at a new university in Jericho. Still trying to come to term with her husbands suicide, she is sensitive to nuances around her and feels that there is some kind of atmosphere around the faculty.

A murder happens and she is asked for her opinion on random objects found around the victim. Her assessment eventually leads to her pursuance of several other murders of many women, all cold cases except one where a suspect confessed. She feels her views are not welcomed by both her faculty fellows and the powers that be in the police department and she is warned to stop all investigation and not talk about her discoveries. Feeling that she is against a very twisted and clever killer who is killing according to a specific design and one which has bypassed the police who are looking for traditional clues. In this story hints of ancient beliefs, protection against evil spirits, elements of witchcraft are all brought into play adding a diversity to murder investigations.

Interesting twist to the story, I didn’t figure out who the probable murderer was at all.

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

Hometown vendetta by Traci Hunter

 

Luke Steele works as a military aide to the President and due to a terrorist attack has to return to his hometown. Luke has horrible memories of high school and the constant attacks he was forced to suffer as a student. He is now returning for a high school celebration with Special Agent Amberlynn Reiner trying to track down these terrorists who were spotted wearing tattoos and rings connected to Pine Hills school.

He is coming with Amberlynn as his fiancée which he hopes will be a good cover for their enquiry.

The return is not easy and the taunting is continuous. When their car is trashed and when a bomb destroys the apartment they are staying in, the attack seems personal and focussed on running them out of town. Their enquiry seems to be too close to home and although their cover is blown, both of them are committed to the chase. Now the urgency is to find the suspected second car bomb which is targeting the celebration at the school itself.

Highlighting the subject of bullying is a key point in this story as it has molded Luke to what he is today. It is also a worrisome feature in present society.

The element of romance was not overly emphasized and blended into the story.

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

Out of the silence by Marie Theodore

 

The story highlighting domestic violence was brutal but realistic. The extent to which defending lawyers will go to shred any opposition and get their clients to go free to wreck damage on other victims is unbelievable even though lawyers themselves know their client is guilty as charged.

Casimir escaped the justice system once after almost killing a woman. Alexa is going to make sure he doesn’t get away again. This time her adversary lawyer is much more powerful. Not only is he, her co lawyer in the same office but he is known to be corrupt, dealing in drugs and friends with people on the wrong side of the law. Alexa a powerful attorney in her own right takes matters into her own hands to bring both the attorney O’Brien as well as the suspect down. Putting herself in grave personal danger as this becomes a personal battle.

The erotic part of the story did not add much to the book which could have done without it very well but Alexa’s secretary’s involvement showed the human element and how this can be manipulated and used to bring down someone.

Very well told of court room drama and the proceedings that precede a judgement, made for good reading.

Sent by Greenleaf Book Group for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Devil Hath a Pleasing Shape by Terry Roberts

 

Stephen Robbins is rather introverted but a reputation for finding missing persons and solving unsolvable crimes precedes him. It is the 1920s and he lives with his three year old son Luke and a couple who are like family to him. He would like life to continue like this.

The appearance of Benjamin Loftis put paid to that. Owner of a famous and old hotel, the discovery of a naked girl murdered in Room 340 does not do much for the image he is wanting to portray. Business is down and he wants the murderer found. Not easy in a town where racism is high, and tensions run high too.

Fast forward to Stephen’s appearance in town, his investigation which are quiet, but do not go unnoticed by the powers that be aka the local Sheriff who does not like outsiders and has got his suspect all tied up and ready for execution.  The discovery of a second body and a third does not affect the Sheriff even though his suspect is behind bars, because he wants the problem to just go away. Stephen is only interested in getting justice and when nothing works because his suspect is too powerful, Stephen’s takes matters into his own hands.

A very powerful story, very realistic of conditions in the 1920s, epitomizing the hold the rich, powerful and white community had over their neighbours.

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

Murder on the Nile by Verity Bright ( A Eleanor Swift mystery)

 

Blogger does this to me, especially when I want to show a particularly nice cover.

The Eleanor Swift mysteries follow a pattern. Lady Eleanor and her faithful butler generally followed by her coterie of domestics, encounter a sticky situation. In this case a voyage to the Aswan Dam in a less than luxurious craft. The other passengers are a mixed bunch of archaeologists and businessman, all of whom seem shady and who never get their stories straight.  When one murder is followed by another, particularly when Lady Eleanor’s assistance was sought by the murdered man himself, something needs to be done. There is a constraint of time followed by the fact that they are in an isolated town, far from help.

The surroundings are gorgeous, the characters range from the shifty to the quirky and the detective work is done with much flair. It takes the cozy to another level altogether.

The Eleanor Swift stories are very entertaining

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

Flipping the Birdie by S L Woeppel

 

This is not a book I’d normally pick up but I was surprised how easily I slipped into the story.

Birdie has super powers but she has irked many of her bosses, with unruly and uncontrolled rants. Now she is suspended from duty, asked to see a therapist and mend her ways.

A chance encounter sets her on a fresh path, trying to live a normal life, with work and developing friends which for Birdie has always been hard.

The story continues with Birdie trying to balance her strengths with her feminine side, give in to the increasing attraction she has for Aiden and be as normal as a super could.

Interesting take on alternative lifestyles.

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

Where Secrets Stay by CherAnn Wright

 

The story was a good but a twisted one. Plenty of solid characters, especially strong willed women. However it could get confusing with the constant change of place and period. One had to have your wits about you when reading this book. 

Plenty of secrets in this story. Everyone had one. In some cases so buried away that they were all but forgotten till a trigger happened, which brought back memories, mainly horrific. The psychic character of some of the women was very plausible in the context of this story and added another dimension.

Despite the going back and forth between childhood and the present day situation the story held one’s interest throughout.

Sent by Sleuthing Sloth Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

The Cloverton Charade by Sarah E. Ladd

Set in Regency England the story of the two antiquities brokers and how the best friends fell apart forms the beginning of the story. Olivia and her sister are left with nothing as their father bequeathed the business to his brother, who through mismanagement has run it to the ground. Lucas has inherited his father’s business also in a precarious financial position.

The approach to Olivia to assess and catalogue Mrs. Milton’s collection is a rare chance to get a footing in the business, and establish herself despite her uncles antipathy and obvious disapproval. Lucas is approached by the nephew of the late Mr Milton to value and dispose of his inheritance. Mrs Milton and the heir do not see eye to eye on how to manage a burdensome estate and both Olivia and Lucas have to keep the purpose of their visit to Cloverton under wraps. A full scale week of entertaining has been arranged which provides the cover necessary for both Olivia and Lucas.

Covering regency England at its best and worst in a descriptive form, we are taken through the jobs undertaken by Olivia and Lucas under the eyes of their bosses, who cannot stand each other. Both have to be diplomatic, especially when Lucas discovers that a lot of chinoiserie is fake and that a scam is going on right under their eyes.

Discovering who was responsible was a difficult job, in the process Olivia loses her job but the romantic angle was just right and the story ends well.

Sent by Thomas Nelson Fiction for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Murder in Berkeley Sqyare by Vanessa Riley

 

Shades of Bridgerton here adding the beginnings of mixed race and black origin people in society, and the somewhat grudging acceptance of these folks in the community.

Lady Worthing and her cousin are visiting family over the Christmas holidays and accompanied by their friend Stapleton get stranded in Berkeley square due to a huge snowstorm. They did not expect to get embroiled in a series of murders meticulously planned and enumerated in a sequence decimating the eight members of the group one by one. The murders set in rhymes is detailing the manner in which each person will die.

Set in Regency England with its own strictures on what women could and couldn’t do, Lady Worthing has to work as speedily and surreptitiously as possible to save herself and her friend.

There are plenty of stories behind each character - the abolitionist movement, the lucrative slave trade, the revolt in Haiti all add interest to the book. 

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