My Sister’s Shadow by January Gilchrist

 

1904 and Harewood Hall still lives in a Gothic age. The twin daughters Adelaide and Victoria have only known each others company. Adelaide is reserved and happy to be at home, Victoria longs to leave. They both are petrified of their harsh father.

Forced into a marriage by her father, Adelaide is fearful of her future when she leaves for New York. She is counting on Victoria’s support but Victoria is anything but supportive. The story is a dark one - deep envy from Victoria destroying any chance of any happiness for Adelaide, coupled with her husbands desire for an heir and that he only married her for her dowry.  When Stanley wants to get rid of his wife, he commits her to an asylum, knowing there is no way she can get out. Lord Stanley fully supported by Victoria, who was irrational in her hatred for her sister who had made the society marriage she coveted, and in New York was able to effortlessly be befriended by top society, was just too much for Victoria to handle.

How Adelaide managed to escape and make a life for herself was the only bright outcome in a very sad story.

The 1904 in England was bleak for women but in New York freedom of a kind for women was very evident, especially for those who were rich enough to ignore public opinion. This story dealt mainly with upper class, fabulously rich American women who were far removed from other women of the time. The contrast between Harewood Hall and New York was immense. Two different worlds.

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

Murder at the Loch by Dee Macdonald

 

Ally recently retired is running a successful B&B in the picturesque hamlet of Locharran. Taking her dog for a walk was her relaxing time, finding a body floating of the lake was not.

Hamish the local Earl has just announced his nuptials. At seventy his bride is half his age and the gossip mill is flourishing. He has not been secretive over the fact that he wants an heir, usurping Randolph from getting the title. When the new bride is found poisoned just twenty four hours after the wedding, the local Detective finds everybody suspect, including Ally because she was physically present around when both women died. 

Ally herself an amateur detective along with her partner, looks into all the facts surrounding both murders, very sure that the two are linked.

A very interesting read, set in exceptionally beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere engendered by the castle, the village and the Loch added much depth to the story.

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

The Four Queens of Crime by Rosanne Limoncelli

 

The story involving four leading crime authors of the day Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Marjory Allingham and Dorothy L.Sayers could not be anything but entertaining. Four of them were playing host for a gala dinner to raise funds for charity. Sir Henry Heathcote was the owner of Hursley House where the event was being held and he seemed rather cold over the whole affair.

When Sir Henry was found dead in his locked study, Detective DCI Lilian Wyles has her hands tied. Coming from a different social background to those who were part of the scenario was difficult. No one in the immediate family were willing to speak of the tension and undercurrent running amongst them all. Delving further the detectives felt that the entire family could be suspect, because each one of them had reason to hate their father.

Recruiting the help of the four women despite the other Detective not happy with the idea, DCI Lilian felt that they would look at the mystery from different perspectives. And it worked.

We got to know the four women very well and the story set in 1938 was well told, set against a background of an arrogant, aristocratic family who still felt they could call the tune.

Sent by Crooked Lane Books for a unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

33 Place Brugmann by Alice Austen

 

1939 Brussels and on the eve of occupation, the lives of those in the Beaux Arts building are going to be changed forever, and not for the better.

Starting with Nazi occupation, looming threats, the solidifying of previous unheard of atrocities, the rationing and the build up of mistrust amongst neighbours, friends all with the aim of turning in someone you didn’t like, didn’t trust was becoming commonplace. At the same time resistance to the occupiers was very real, and hiding national treasures was very much the goal of many. 

The story builds up within these eight apartments from betrayal to resilience and the determination to survive.

Emotional reading but any story set in this era was hard reading.

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

Fear Stalks The Village by Ethel Lina White

 

A perfect English village circa 1932. What we expect it to be - requisite houses, the big house, farmers and workers, no dissatisfaction, no quarrels, the old ladies, the vicar, the doctor all holding their special place in society, no one making waves until a poison pen letter surfaces and with it, no holds barred. Someone knows secrets, and will not hesitate to flaunt them, but it is the threat more than the actual which haunts and frightens this charming village.

A study of human nature and how the tide of opinion can change in a jiffy. How people close ranks to protect themselves, the meaness of humanity and selfishness of people when cornered, all revealed in this idyllic village.

The unraveling was not nice, but there was no choice once the letters took hold.

Not a heavy read. Very enjoyable.

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

Murder at the Palace by N R Daws

 

Hampton Court Palace is not the kind of place where you expect to find a lady murdered by a fancy letter opener. When Miss Franklin is found in just such circumstances, the rumors start flying around. Mrs Bramble, erstwhile Court Housekeeper and powers of all, is first on the scene.

Scotland Yard is next but Inspector Cole is no match for Mrs B.  Discerning, sharp and clever and blessed with common sense she is no match for the plodding Inspector Cole.

Filled with eccentric, old ladies who have earned a grace and favour apartment for work done by their husbands, these ladies give the atmosphere to the story and the almost village atmosphere that is brought about by a dozen old ladies with their so active social life and hidden histories and secrets all within the confines of a very small area.

The whodunnit was a sideline to the detective skills of Mrs B who was really clever and unassuming as well. 

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

The Widows Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby

 

Endearing, eccentric characters (all widows), all quite vociferous in their views was not quite what Ginny expected when she moved to this small village after the death of her husband. Ginny was retiring, not forceful, taking a back seat and quite drab. Getting a job as an assistant librarian was for her a way to assimilate into village life. She didn’t anticipate her boss Louisa being a nasty piece of work but to find her murdered on the second day of her work at the library was overwhelming.

Lots of suspects because Louisa only made enemies wherever she went. The Detective in charge was not interested in theories put by the group of women, however sensible or ridiculous they were. Detective Wallace was also Ginny’s neighbour which did not help as he looked on them all as an irritant.

Complicated scenarios and relationships in this cozy. All the women had distinctive personalities which made for a very united, tolerant whole. 

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

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne by Emily Claybourne

 
1938. Gillian is in boarding school sent by her father who works in Egypt. She doesn’t quite fit in. The girls around her are upper class and seem to belong to another world, very far removed from Gillian’s working class roots. When she is befriended by Violet and invited to Thornleigh Hall, a crumbling mansion Gillian is delighted but overwhelmed, knowing she has to be on guard all the time.

The family dynamics are peculiar - the lady of the house is not keen on education for girls. All she wants is advantageous marriages. The father is kindly, but does not like confrontations and lets his wife have her way, Emmeline the eldest is holding out for a proposal from the eligible Hugh, rich and with piles of property. Laura the second is in love with Charlie, considered not good enough by Lady Claiborne and we have the youngest Violet who is the focal point in the story.

Machinations of a Machiavellian nature on the part of Emmeline who orchestrates it all, followed blindly by the girls, betrayal by Gillian of the deepest kind puts Violet in an extremely bad place. Everyone turns a blind eye to the reality and so many are damaged beyond belief.

The story told in two time frames show the damage that was done which led to the destruction of an entire family. Destruction that was deliberate, homicidal, psychotic and unbelievable.

The author brought the most improbable scenarios to the plausible, absolutely believable

Fabulous story telling capturing settings from the decaying grandeur of the Hall, to destruction of London during the war. The settings play a big role in this story. The characters were a story in itself. Each one was a separate story.

Sent by Sourcebooks Landmark for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

 

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.

Shipwrecked Souls by Barbara Fradkin

 

Set in Ottawa, it gives a glimpse into the diverse multi cultural scene that is Canada. An elderly woman recently arrived from Ukraine, Anya is found dead in a lonely alleyway. One clue only, a name written in three languages. No such person exists but that could be simply a change of name to an anglicized version that makes blending in easier. A second death also an elderly man Simon Stone, made to look like an accident is murder. The man has a huge collection of Holocaust connected literature, and now the connections get closer. It also starts getting closer to Inspector Greens own family and tightly hidden history.

A story of murder and cover up. Of Nazi persecutors living a very comfortable life in many countries, but they are also aware that they will be followed and there is always someone looking for justice, decades later. It puts the pursuer in grave danger but by the time, the pursuer is not concerned what happens to him. He has seen so much, suffered so much trauma that death may be very comfortable, after of course what he is determined to do. Anya was looking for family, for comfort. She did not find it but Inspector Green did. 

The story was convoluted with espionage, secrets in government, cover ups and deaths. It was a detailed progression of methodical detection which solved the mystery and the murders.

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

Come Fly With Me by Camille DI Maio

 

1962 and the beginning of the glamorous world of jet setting. Judy and Beverley had widely different reasons for joining Pan Am. Judy to escape an abusive husband and Beverley to avoid being pushed into a marriage by her overwhelming father who expected her to conform to high society norms. Both girls overcame many obstacles - Judy hiding her marital status because married women were not allowed to join. Her husband Henry she knew would not take her desertion well, and she knew he would leave no stone unturned to get her back. Beverley had to prove to herself that she could manage on her own, no easy task for a girl who had endless accounts paid for by Daddy.

We follow their adventures, we see them finding love and we see a tragic end for one and the other growing old gracefully.

The story was an emotional and sensitively told. One was drawn into the glamour of flying (I still think it is so!). At the same time it was a personal story of two very young women who were bold enough to step into this new world.

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

Udaipur absolutely stunning.

Only Murders in the Abbey by Beth Cowan -Erskine

 

1930s Scotland. The snobbery amongst the aristocracy even if they hadn’t a penny to their name hasn’t died down as yet and the Inverkillen clan is not exempt from this trait. Original owners of the Loch Down Abbey now run as a hotel, some of them uninvited guests seem to think they are above all the rest.

Despite the story being one of mystery and murder, foreign spies, theft on an enormous scale and espionage, I found the antics, attitude and behavior of the family to hold my interest more. The utter callousness of Bella, the selfishness of Alastair, the arrogance of the Dowager and the rational brother Ferguson trying to hold a business together and not allow the hard work he and his team have done, go into ruin in a week due to the stupidity, selfishness and avarice of his family. 

The story resulting in murders was good but the family intricacies were better.

Sent by Hodder and Stoughton for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The House of Light and Shadows by Lauren Westwood

 

A family story in the past and present, an old house with a hidden mystery, unsettled spirits and romance.

Kate is pulled out of a business environment, to look after her sisters children after her sisters attempted suicide. She is estranged from her sister and has never looked after children, let alone antagonistic ones. Arriving nevertheless to her sisters home, she finds a derelict house with strange vibes and a mysterious presence. Kate slowly unravels the mystery in the house and the fact that someone wants something completed. Kate has to walk blind into the situation trying to bring some order to the events which happened decades before.

The subject of photography was detailed, especially from the time photography began and the fact that at that time it was an art form and one available only to the rich. The different aspects including weird photography hardly known to the general public was a major part of the story as the earlier inhabitants of the old house were well known in this field. It is the two ladies of the house who continued this profession which was unusual for the times,  which formed the backdrop to the story.

Continuing in the present times Kate has to contend with an greedy property developer who has managed to persuade her sister to demolish the old house and two children with agendas of their own.

Add to the mix a budding romance for Kate.

Quite a lot to deal with the story was a good one. The story of family loyalty both present and past are a theme in this story.

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

The Case of the Christie Conspiracy by Kelly Oliver

 

Agatha Christie was a very popular author in 1926 but the tables have been turned. She is now the first suspect in the death of Nicholas Lively. Her strange behavior at the meeting where Nicholas was killed, and her consequent disappearance for days does not help her case.

Nicholas Lively’s death had many points of interest. It took place at a meeting of notable detective genre novel authors, the best in the business at the time. One of the items on the agenda was the dismissal of Miss Christie from the group. There was dissension on this vote which added to the suspicions against Miss Christie. Apart from the Police investigation, we have Eliza and Theodore, both with issues of their own, join forces to try the solve the murder and in the process track down Miss Christie. They are successful in both, and the ending was surprising. 

The book is a quick read, the romance is a bit too light with no depth but the story was a good one. 

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

On another note just returned after a holiday in Rajasthan. It was an exciting and a very colorful visit.

End of August by Paige Dinneny

 

Aurora has returned to Monroe with her nomadic Mum Laine after a long absence. She is settling in to what feels like home - a loving grandmother, neighbours, school and for once a friend and her first crush Harry who is turning out to be very nice.

She knows however that the situation can turn a trice and looks like it is heading that way. Laine has fallen in love with the mailman and when he leaves his wife and two children, this small town buzzing with rumors becomes a maelstrom for Aurora and her family because the ostracism starts immediately. The inevitable happens. Tim leaves and Laine knows she has to leave too. She did not think Aurora will want to stay.

A coming of age story where a youngster stoically and bravely puts up a loyal front, supporting her mother till she couldn’t do it anymore.

Very well told, sensitively handled.

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

The Radio Hour by Victoria Purman

 

1956 Sydney could easily be mistaken for Victorian times - arcane rules for women, women who did so much taken for granted, ignored and treated with scant respect in the workforce.

Martha is an exemplary secretary and has been overlooked and her true potential never understood. Her work for a very young man with no skills at all who got the job through knowing someone spelt doom and pressure for Martha. True to her name she was not confrontational and just wanted to keep her job. However she turned the tables and created a record in the most unusual way in the office and this became the surprising and courageous part of the story, totally different to the meek and subservient manner she had been before.

The story dealt with radio in Australia and the huge effect it had on the general populace. The influence of simple radio shows was phenomenal and if it was used cleverly, could actually shape people’s attitudes and practices. It also marked the onset of television in Australia, and the trepidation that the radio world felt when it was started.

This was a brilliant topic handled very well in a very relatable story.

Sent by Harper Collins Focus for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

New Arrivals on West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva

 

The story covers genres from history to a family saga told from one individuals perspective. Divya orphaned suddenly at seventeen, finds herself an outcast in her own village. Through very troubling circumstances she finds herself as a nanny to two young charges on a ship to England. Cheated of her fare home to India, she fortunately finds herself with nuns who send her to a home run by a compassionate girl who helps Divya to stand on her own feet.

More than Divya carving a niche for herself is the story of grit and determination not to give up against all odds of racism, language, lack of skills and a myriad disadvantages. Divya manages to establish herself as a cafe owner dishing out her own specialities. She builds up a loyal clientele including two men who fall in love with her.

The story was descriptive of life in the docks and of the people who inhabit it. Tough breed of people from every walk of life and every country who grew to call England home and who have made it the melting pot it is today.  Set in the early 20th century and at the beginning of the WWII this story detailed how ordinary Britons faced hardship and loss.

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

No Comfort For The Dead by R P O’Donnell

 

1988 Cork Ireland seemed in a time warp. Attitudes towards women seem feudal but the women in this story know how to get around the old rules. Family feuds carry on for generations and are hidden but not forgotten.

Emma has returned home after her dream of joining the police was thwarted. She now runs the local library and is content at her job. When a local man is murdered, and a man missing for thirty years if at the scene the small town does not seem so charming.

The characters in this story are all special. Hidden attributes and strengths and weaknesses not very apparent but all become relevant when the story progresses. The depiction of small town Ireland is quaint and descriptive.

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

Rajasthan Trip

 

Short trip to Rajasthan.

Camels are a common feature on the outskirts of the city this was in Jaipur.

The next is from Bikaner Junagarh Fort. Started  in 1589 and lived in till 1902 the Fort is an impressive accolade to the many Maharajas who added to the original establishment.

Day two of our trip. The distances between the cities takes up a great deal of time though what we see is beautiful.

The Writer in Tuscany by Richard P. Wenzel

 

Erik has come to Tuscany for peace and quiet and to write a book. Meeting Iliana, a cellist also at the same inn was good for Eric. The other people holidaying there got on well together. What Eric wanted to do was write a good mystery story and he was playing with ideas and the people he met. He didn’t think he would actually face crime, and deaths but he found it in spades.

When the deaths started to show links to each other and when they were not discounted as accidents or ill health, the scenario could not be ignored by the local police who had not faced organized crime syndicates before. The Mafia was known and understood, but this was a different game, underlying and eroding Tuscan economy, culture and lifestyle.

Lots of twists and turns posing threats to not only hapless widows who owned vineyards but also to those who owned olive groves. The violence was organized and brutal and Eric as an outsider faced more risks than the others. The story was also descriptive of the Tuscan vineyards, people and lifestyle and this added greatly to the story.

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

Ivory Bones - The Lewis Chessman Murders by Sara Winokur

 Blogger did not cooperate with me on this cover which was so intriguing and interesting and gave you an idea of where the story will go.

Set in Iceland was totally different in this mystery murder story. The environment and the location added a depth to the story which was a good one. How location and descriptiveness could set a story apart was amply seen in this story.

A forensic geneticist has a dark history amongst her own family and when the famous Chessmen disappear she is drawn into the case. A woman’s diary written in 1627 outlining the tragic story of abduction by Corsair warriors and the woman’s tale of her sad life gives the clues as to where the rest of the chessmen could be. It also brings Brynja into the focus of a deadly assassin. 

The story of murder, survival and betrayal hits hard because the leak is close to home and the dangers are very close to Brynja. Depicting a very dark period of Icelandic history, with details of the slave trade was harrowing reading but must not be forgotten either. The workings of a police force and a forensic unit in Iceland was very modern, and polished. 

Enjoyable and informative read.

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

The Secrets of the Rose by Nicola Cornick

 

Two powerful women Dorothy Forster and Hannah Armstrong. Two women different centuries each trying to protect family in the best way possible. Dorothy, the odds against her due to the customs and expectations of the age. Controlled by an uncle who has the power and the money, a brother who is greedy for power and completely indifferent to the needs of the family, a younger brother swayed by the romance of intrigue and war, an ailing father wrapped in the past.  Hannah protective of a beloved stepmother and wary of an avaricious brother trying to unravel the secrets of a talisman and a history which connects Dorothy to her.

Grace Darling the heroine of countless stories also features as this was the beginning of the story and the reason for Hannah to delve into the past. Her brief was to write a book following her best seller, but the story, the tomb and the picture of Dorothy draws Hannah into another dimension.

I loved the historical details and background to the story. The failed Jacobite uprising, the bloodshed, the political maneuvering that follows in power struggles all form part of the story. The romances are an intrinsic part too as they are the impetus and reasons why people act the way they do, when they want to protect those they love. Family feuds, sadly do persist past and present and greed and avarice are always around. 

The story held my interest throughout. I’ll be looking out for this author.

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

Bye Bye Blackbird by Elizabeth Crowens

 

Summer of 1941 and the calling card for actors beginning with Humphrey Bogart is a black mummified falcon, followed by black dead crows. It seems ominous and the duo of Babs and Guy, private detectives are set with the task of why and by whom.

Involving a host of Hollywood stars and dead bodies our private eye ends up interviewing and trying to track a killer (albeit humorously) with a lot of activity and coming up with dead ends. The murders keep piling up and the detectives are behind in catching the murderers before another victim surfaces.

Detailed in its descriptiveness of Hollywood stars, which was a major part of the story, detectives trailed far behind. Amusing.

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

The Baguette Murders by Anne Penketh

 

Set in a charming French small town, we have a mix of English imports living alongside their French neighbours. There is as expected a certain animosity towards the outsiders who have walked into French territory and with no small effort and hard work set up businesses of their own. 

Pippin is one of them with a successful bakery but who has to face Tristan aka Bucky who is antagonistic as he considers her a rival who is doing very well. The murders that follow point the finger at a baker as the weapon is hidden in a baguette but the sheer interest for me was the daily interactions and how life played out in a small town. There were extra marital affairs galore, vendettas lasting generations, everyone was related or connected and there was no way to keep secrets. These added so much variety to an otherwise normal cozy.

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

An Insidious Inheritance by Amelie West

Clara has been estranged from her father for decades. Her relationship with her mother was also strained. Clara has learnt the hard way to be self reliant and she is distrustful of anyone who lends a helping hand or offers anything because of past lessons. When she inherits a house from her father in a desolate area, her one idea is to sell it and use the proceeds to become financially independent.

The property has a strange ambiance and history attached to it. Although touted as an inn, it shows neglect, disarray and Clara realises that in 1933 with the economic slump, getting rid of the property is no easy task. 

The story has gothic overtones and there are several people who will do their best that Clara does no digging into the past or even actual digging in the property, which will uncover unsavory history. You always feel throughout the story that you have to watch your back as if someone, not quite human, is watching you and prompting you to act.

Sent by Victory Editing Coop Netgalley for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Alchemist of Alleppo by Marie K. Savage

 

Michael Samaan and Kat Musgrave met coincidentally (it seems) at the VA Museum. One with an interest in artifacts and the other for an inexplicable pull towards the display of a particular goblet.

The story starts from there and it is fascinating, unexpectedly full of questions and certainly events, people and feelings which cannot be logically explained. Going back hundreds of years to turbulent times, previous births and a reincarnation in a present time to set finally and bring to an end a very troubled past.

The story was magical, a love story repeated and a book I couldn’t put down. I would urge those who enjoy stories of history as well as those things which are magical, fantasy with a whiff of probability to get this book.

Sent by Blank Slate Communication/Independent Book Publishers Association, courtesy of Netgalley for an unbiased review.

The Forger’s Requiem by Bradford Morrow

Henry Slader is a literary forger par excellence. A long time feud with Will who attempts to kill him and presumed he was dead, finds Henry disoriented, concussed and suffocating in a grave. Using his wits and bits of memory coming back to him, he decides on a spot of blackmail, also changing his identity in the process to carve out a new life for himself.

Involving literal forgeries on the scale of Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley needs skills and Henry uses Nicole, Wills daughter to execute forgeries which are flawless. They also start the downward tread to Henry’s doom eventually.

There were abrupt changes in location and timelines where one had to take a moment as to what was happening but the story gives one a glimpse into the world of literary pieces and the demand to own an original letter or poetry penned by a famous person.

The book was sent by Grove Atlantic for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

When She’s Gone by Rea Frey

 

Cora was a victim of a kidnapping and the perpetrators were never caught. She was an Olympic gymnast hopeful and the kidnapping just before the final trials put several competitors in the spotlight. Nothing happened but Cora has lived with the trauma since that Halloween.

Fast forward and with a four year old daughter of her own Cora faces the same horrific crime. Lulu is kidnapped and ransom notes that follow outline a horrific plan. Injure a child gymnast in such a way that they get knocked out of the competition. The same theme with the demands going higher and higher.

The story is detailed and depraved. How ambitious parents will stoop to anything to get what they want. How love can be so possessive and subverted that it can force a normal person to be temporarily insane.

Riveting story.

Sent by Thomas and Mercer for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds’s by Jennifer Moorman

 

The story is a mix of fantasy and what could be unaccounted probability. Not disclaiming anything here but it does make one think that there is a lot we really do not know. Here is a story of a young woman, suddenly widowed, bereft of mental support and just trying to get through one day at a time. Whilst wondering how she going to just survive, her sister with the best of intentions sends her a listing of a house which was owned by their ancestors, and on a sudden whim Josephine buys the place.

It is from this point that the overlap between the present times and the 1920s take place. Her great grandmother Alma was a fun lady who in these days of prohibition ran a speakeasy. Glamorous and patronized by all the top people in town, they did not fear a raid, but going by records Josephine knew this was not accurate. Newspaper records show Alma being shot during a raid, but the fact this that Josephine is living proof that Alma did not die in the raid. So Josephine comes up with a plan to try to circumvent the raid and get Alma to safety. 

The time travel back and forth adds more and more depth to the story because Josephine gets drawn into a relationship and is undecided whether to stay in the 1920s or move back to present times. The entire history of that man would change if that happened.

Altogether a very intriguing read which led to lots of questioning of what ifs and hows. 

Sent by Harper Collin’s Focus, courtesy of Netgalley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless

 

Set in Seattle and Singapore and a rich concern of building yachts for the rich and famous, Ocean House has commenced their biggest endeavor ever, building a super yacht for the rich and famous George Meng.

The story is a superb one set against a history of espionage, murder, a fight for freedom from a man who has everything but seeks freedom for his family and how he unwittingly and then willingly draws two sisters into his plan and bid for freedom. There is also a family history uncovered, unsavory and hidden for decades now open for the world to see.

The story was a page turner, descriptive and emotional, displaying the strong ties that bind family over everything else. Characters were so varied that they added layers of interest to the story. I read it one go myself.

Sent by Thomas and Mercer for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Big Ben Strikes Eleven by David Magarshack

 

Sir Robert Boniface’s body was discovered in his limousine and it was a toss up between murder or suicide. A leading industrialist he was a well known figure, but one who had plenty of enemies. He knew how to cut people down with biting talk, using his power to coerce those working for him or with him.

The story starts with a legion of suspects and then gets whittled down.  Three main suspects and each gets handled differently by the two Detectives heading the case. The attention to detail as each piece of evidence is unearthed is rather tedious and you wish it could just be hurried along. The story set in the 1930s is classic vintage mystery and it evolves like that.

Characters are varied which add depth and interest to the story. 

Sent by Poisoned Pen Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

Crimson Leaves death of an Earl Part I by Jana L. Perkins

 

Two young men one an Earl and one brought up as his brother, swap identities for a very short period, when they discover that their father was murdered.  Their idea is to enter the London season, mix with society and try to get clues as to who murdered their father. The one rule for both of them was to avoid entanglements with the ladies.

Both men failed in following the rules from the beginning. Trying to solve a murder, under false identities and having fallen deeply in love was a dilemma.

The murder mystery being solved went hand in hand with the romances of the two men. Light hearted and a fun read set in the 1800s.

Sent by Victory Editing Netgalley Coop for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Chaatterbox by Pia Mahajan

 

Seems like a light hearted read about a young couples discovery of themselves after an arranged marriage and moving from Varanasi to Silicon Valley. Add to that Isha’s love for food, her extreme talent in the culinary field, her chance encounter with the owner of a food truck and mouthwatering descriptions of food. That is the background.

To that mix add the cut throat business dealings in the Valley, the dog eats dog as competition mounts, love and loyalty, friendships and ethics and the story moves into deeper nuances.

This was an ideal read for me on the last day of the year, with the good over evil victory, the steadfastedness of love, friendships superseding it all. 

I am surprised though that I could not track this book on Barnes & Noble or Goodreads to post a review.

Sent by Chai Lit Club for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.