The Ruffler’s Child by John Pilkington

 

Thomas is a skilled falconer held in high esteem by his employers the Lord Robert and Lady Margaret. Everything is very serene in the Berkshire Downs till the discovery of the Lady Margaret’s ne’er do well brother. Known for his underhand dealings and the nefarious company he keeps, nevertheless his death has to be followed up.

Travelling to London looking for more falcons for Lord Robert, Thomas sees that things are not what they seem and a tangle of long hidden secrets and blackmail can bring Lady Margaret’s world crashing down.

The story has many twists and turns and Thomas’s detective skills are second to none at uncovering the suspects and the plot, as well as protecting his mistress.

Set in an Elizabethan era with plenty of history woven in this was very good reading.

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

Murder Made Her Wicked by Elizabeth Hobbs

 

1894 and Marigolds finds herself penniless and wondering what to do. The acceptance and publication of her novel brings her the money necessary to pursue academia and she finds herself back in the college she loves, doing what matters most to her. Before long she gets embroiled in a murder, discovering the body of a student. Identifying who the victim is becomes quite complicated, and declaring it a murder is too because the authorities would like to classify it as accidental, rather than intentional.

Marigolds uses the talents of her fellow students to analyse whatever information is available to them to find the murderer before he strikes again. 

Very much a Victorian era setting, Marigolds has to work within the constraints and expectations of the time. This adds interest to the story. It also highlights the difficulties faced by women who sought an education and a career without settling only for marriage.

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

Murder in Venice by T A Williams

 

Private Detective Dan Armstrong arrives at the luxurious home of Alice Graceland, ready for a weekend of a simulated mystery murder weekend. Legend of the silver screen Alice had invited the very best of Hollywood directors, production and moguls and Dan and his faithful Oscar were very much part of the proceedings. What was strange was the feelings of antipathy, dislike and downright antagonism amongst the guests. It did not augur well for the weekends entertainment.

The story set amongst the beauty of Venice brings out secrets of decades past, revenge sought for past misdemeanours and deep feelings of humiliation and hurt now brought out in full force. Not very pleasant as it unfolded with two murders and Dan working with the Venetian police to find the murderer.

A very interesting murder mystery set in beautiful surroundings. 

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

The Invite by Irina Shapiro

 

I am a fan of this author. Her stories seem straightforward. They never are. Therein lies the excitement, the pursuit of wanting to know more. This was no exception. But it was the first book I read from her set in a very modern setting.

A reunion of friends after years. Organized by Lexie who according to her social media posts led a colourful, varied life. Everyone invited turned up except the host and then the body count starts. If you like really deep, dark mysteries, an almost psychopathic murderer, victims with deep, dark secrets of their own, an atmospheric setting in an isolated lakeside community, this is it.

Excellent writing, build up to an explosive point, the fizzle down of emotions and the build up again to a crescendo, this is it.

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

Huguette by Cara Black

 

Post 1945 Paris the story of Huegette is very disturbing. Just seventeen, orphaned and betrayed by her father, she now finds herself pregnant with a Nazi officers baby and forced by the nuns to give him up for adoption.

Using one of her father’s contacts she gets an entry level job into one of the Parisian studios, climbing the ladder slowly with her business acumen and shrewd and quick thinking. Unimaginable life for a young woman with no family or friends her focus is on finding the Nazi officer who raped her on a whim. Hearing tales that the officer escaped and some stories that he died, she finally meets him at a film award ceremony to seek the revenge she had been pursuing for most of her life. Her relationship with Claude Leduce did not impose much on the story as there was so much going on as well. Leduce seemed secondary.

The emotional intensity in this story is hard to read clinically. Huguette’s child conceived in rape but when he was born she had no choice in the plan for his adoption, and she longed to get him back. This was not to be. Her life was never easy because she was a target by her father’s enemies but Huguette was a very strong, gutsy focussed woman.

Overwhelmingly sad but very real about 1945 to 1947 Paris.

Sent by Soho Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

The Holly Villag Murders by Benedict Brown

 

Marius Quin and Lady Bella were looking forward to an uneventful quiet Christmas but it was not meant to be. Bella’s much loved Aunt has died in what are suspicious circumstances, but what is surprising is that the local Police do not entertain their requests for an investigation citing that the lady was old and batty. Infuriated Bella and Quin ask Inspector Lovebrook to help them in their quest.

In this quiet, wealthy enclave of Holly Village the death of Adele did not disturb them much but when a second woman is found murdered, the detectives have to follow up clues faster, pursue suspects, some of whom prove innocent, others villains but not murderers till their quarry is caught.

The setting of 1928 is still very old fashioned and Marius is very much of the old school so it is educative to see how he handles his personal feelings and love for Bella, whilst maintaining a cool distance and not overstepping boundaries as she is still grieving for her fiancée who has passed away.  Their detective skills and working together is not hindered in any way by their personal relationship, and the story slow but steadily reaches its conclusion.

This is No. 6 in the series but is fine as a stand alone.

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

Evensong by Stewart O’Nan

 

A very close look at a group of women who help each other out as they get older and more fragile, facing hiccups in their lives. The fall of one of their members, her hospitalisation, the visits to cheer her up have to be scheduled. Not all are willing to be put on a roster and those that do are stretched to the maximum. The degree of care from baking cookies to visits to the sick are shown by these members and they are lucky to have someone who cares.

A very warm novel about the power of befriending and nurturing.

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

Murder in York by J R Ellis

 

Set in the ancient city of York, the murder mystery gave us also tantalising tidbits of the history and origins of this city. It added so much variety to the story. Told in a very easy style it was a very pleasant read, despite the murders!

DCI Oldroyd is at a very boring conference in York. He is a history buff too and goes on a ghost tour to discover more about the city he loves. Discovering a body was not part of the tour and he joins the city’s detectives in trying to solve the murder. Discovering two other bodies killed in similar fashion sparks panic whether a serial killer is on the loose. 

Good detection slowly unravels the story but also highlights the problem of homelessness in cities classed as rich, where such problems should not exist. This feature was highlighted throughout the story and formed an integral and very important part of the story.

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

The Blitz Secret by Stephen Ronson

 

Set during the darkest days for Britain in the 1940s, with the Blitz overshadowing London almost continuously and almost bringing Britain to its knees, we have a story of espionage on one side, and the abduction of a young woman on the other.

The story exemplifies the misery that the Londoner had to face during these days. The need to survive in the face of aerial bombing which was relentless destroying homes and livelihoods and people murdered in their hundreds. Life still continued with bars and clubs and a roaring black market trade along with prostitution and corruption. 

Plenty of spies, double spies some of them secrets galore and the determined unravelling of a missing girl presumed dead , except by one person.

Beautifully told, very descriptive and detailed this was an excellent story.

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

Never Look Back by Susan Lewis

 

This story was unpredictable and good. It got you questioning everything you know about AI and digital manipulation (of which I know almost nothing).

Romy’s husband died in strange circumstances. The couple were exceptionally close. Romy disappears and several media posts show her happy and saying she will contact her friends when she feels more settled. Nothing sits well and her close circle feel that things are not quite right and one of them starts a pod cast to get to the bottom of the story.

What is unravelled is a scam involving overseas tricksters who steal everything from you, not just your money but your identity and leave you abandoned with nothing to your name. Inevitably betrayed by someone within your circle who is vulnerable.

The story is very possible and frightening to envisage. The extent to which cyber criminals can enter your world seems almost childs play.

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

Murder on frosty Night by Verity Bright

 

Winter 1925 just before Christmas. Hugh and Eleanor just getting ready to celebrate their first Christmas together. Also to celebrate the launch on their detective agency. A sudden telegram, along with an advance deposit comes from the most remote village possible to find, summoning them urgently.

In dramatic fashion they arrive at Yorelow to find the man who sent the telegram murdered in the church graveyard whilst Midnight Mass was going on and a myriad of suspects available for the taking. Very steady detection work, many red herrings, lots of eccentric characters often times found in English cozies of the time all adding a sense of piquancy and unreality to the surroundings.

The stories of Lady Eleanor, Hugh Seldon and Clifford along with their entourage is humorous and engaging though the background is always murder.

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