Holy Island by L J Ross

 

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to Holy Island for some peace and quiet. This gets disrupted very fast when the body of a young woman is discovered in the ruins of a Priory. 

When a consultant Dr Anna Taylor, a former local is sent to consult with him, Ryan is irritated at first with what he sees as interference from the higher powers that be. Anna becoming a target herself is not something they accounted for and subsequent murders show the suspects as a local, with a very specific agenda.

It is an atmospheric setting as it is a small island, with very few permanent inhabitants. The main characters are distinct and have strong personalities of their own. Supporting characters in the story are varied and add layers of interest. I did not see the end coming, the way I envisaged which was good too.

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

A colourful and unusual horse carriage outside the vibrant Mysore Palace also beautifully illuminated.

Margery and Me by Maryka Biaggio

 

The story deals with Margery a spirit medium and Walter her brother (the Me in the story). Me was spirited, interested in pulling someone’s leg, especially the skeptic and very protective of his sister. Walter always had his sisters back, and hated it when Earl her first husband turned abusive, and when Roy Margery’s second husband tried to take advantage of her talents. From the spirit world there were limitations to what Walter could do, but he certainly tried.

Margery was famous in the 1900s and had the active support of many scientists who formed part of the American Psychics Association. She submitted to many, many tests put forward by them during seances

and passed them all.  But she had a skeptic in Houdini, who denounced her openly, without any proof.

The book was informative and not a subject I am familiar with. In Sri Lanka we are exposed to spirit mediums and plenty of astrology everyday, even an official government channel, but I have very little personal knowledge to pass an opinion.  This story was educative.

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

A Very Irish Mystery by Verity Bright

 

Lady Eleanor and husband Hugh are on a trip to Ireland. Clifford and Gladstone are also part of the entourage. Enjoying the delights of gastronomic Ireland is one of their favourite activities and doing a tour of Finnegans, the most famous brewery was also on the agenda. Also meeting Samuel with an idea of finding out about Lady Eleanor’s parents was an important part of the trip. Finding the owner of Finnegans, murdered and dumped in one of his own barrels was definitely not on the agenda.

Taking the story forward from that, the detection proceeds dramatically. With turbulent Irish history in the making, the antagonism and dislike that the Irish seemed to have towards the English, the story gave one a very good insight into the relationship between the two countries, whilst finding out why a man was murdered and finding  a very divided family only keen to get their hands on the money. Getting justice for the dead was not going to be easy with this backdrop. Set in the 1900s this was atmospheric as well. Lady Eleanor and Hugh and Clifford had their hands much fuller than expected.

The book had a lot of twists and turns delving into the family shenanigans of the Finnegan clan but it was the turbulent history of the time that caught my interest.

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

A street side view of the gorgeous Mysore Palace. My last visit.

 

Five Silver Spoons by Sam Steele

 

This was a page turner from the word Go. 

Five Cambridge educated people. Different professions, vastly different personalities and backgrounds. Some of them are downright nasty and there a couple who went with the flow, as one does to keep up with the popular ones. One has to go back twenty years - a horrific accident, and sheer indifference and calculations on how to get rid of a body which was for them, an inconvenience. How it led to blackmail, revenge, tortuous, painful death for some, a planned suicide for another who couldn’t take the guilt anymore and the corrupted politician who was manipulative, harsh with killer instincts to look out for only herself.

The story was brilliant. Very plausible. Kept me engaged throughout.

Sent by Allison & Busby for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

I was on a small break and found this wayside shop on the way to Coorg. Loved the variety of chillies found there.

Lafitte Lives by Christi Keating Sumich

 

From the initial setting you knew the story is going to have some mystery.  It is 1831 New Orleans, and Tobias Whitney who is the sexton in charge of St Louis Cemetery has discovered a journal in the crypt of a famous war hero and former pirate and also the brother of the famous pirate Jean Lafitte.  Tobias himself is an honest, hard working man who takes his duties seriously and taking this journalist troubles him. His wife begins the translation as it is in French, and it uncovers a story of the lives of tge two brothers in great detail.

The story combines Tobias’s life as it is, his sorrows at the loss of his children and how he is trying to cope with his employment, and the story and great historical detail which is the background of Jean Lafitte’s life. Told in detail, a lot of it is harsh, but that period was always harsh towards anyone who was different. Combining many elements love and revenge, superstitions and voodoo practises this was an enthralling read, bringing history alive.

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

Sunset in Coorg South India. I am here right now on a short break.

The Monk by Tim Sullivan

 

Just love the books by this author. Coupled with excellent detection, you add an ecclesiastical background and I am overwhelmed.

The body of a monk is found savagely beaten. Inspector George Cross is at a crossroads in his own life. His mother who he believed abandoned him is now back in his life and he doesn’t know exactly how to deal with this. The monk belongs to a small monastery and has been liked by all his brother monks. His past is a mystery and it is from this past that clues emerge.

Apart from the murder story which is enough for anyone, George Cross is himself a character who gets more interesting with every story I read. Awkward, unreal and tolerated because of his uncanny abilities, he is a story in himself.

I loved this character driven novel very much and can recommend it to all.

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

The Lost Woman by Karen Mulvahill

 

Set in the era of WWII in Paris, the Nazi occupation was brutal. For Jews the gradual erosion of liberties meant that many did not escape in time. Nicole Cassin, a teenager at the time escaped but her parents did not. Owning a small but exclusive gallery, brought the attention of the Nazis, when they started plundering art across Jewish households and the gallery was not exempt. Getting a job there was clever, because Nicole kept meticulous accounts of who took paintings and where.

Fast forward to New York and decades later Nicole enlists Robert an art historian to search for some of the paintings with a few clues she had. Robert unearths not just paintings but a story of subterfuge regarding Nicole’s husband who they believed was dead.

There is a lot of harsh realities to be faced in this book and I took it slow, as it was not easy to read. However much we face or try to face the inhumaneness of man, it is not an easy subject to face.

Sent by Book Whisperer for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

The beauty of Fatima Portugal.

Dark in Death by J D Robb

 

A normal girls outing to a theatre turns into a nightmare. A friend slips out during intermission to get something and returns to find her friend Chanel murdered with a small tool to the back of her neck, done quietly, surreptitiously and professionally the murderer slipped out of the theatre. People in the vicinity were not aware of the murder.

Detectives trying to find clues are now faced with what they think is a random killer until an author turns up at the station pointing out that the murder follows one of her mystery murder books. What is frightening is the author has written several books and now everyone is alert to what will follow.

The characterization is amazing and the detectives even more so. My first read in the series of a very prolific author (this one is I think 46th in the series). I do hope I can get to others.

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

One of the loveliest parts of Sri Lanka. What we call the up country Hatton region. Tea country.

Backstage (Stories of a Writing Life) by Donna Leon

 

I’ve been reading about the enigmatic, clever Guido Brunetti for years and picked out any story he was featured in. So it was good to read this collection of essays by the author who created this Detective. 

The collection deals with how she came about an initial idea for a story and then how the story grew. It deals with how a book or rather a story is created right to its end. It gives very little insight into the author though. 

A pleasant read for fans.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic for sending me a copy, courtesy of Netgalley. My apologies for the delay.

Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer

Your honeymoon is not a time you want to be concerned about murders and conspiracies but Jane and Redvers are unwittingly drawn into one after attending a dinner where they were unwillingly taken to by their overbearing Aunt. The hostess Clara was a strange bird to say the least and the evening ended with her ex husband (also a guest) found poisoned. 

The investigations are convoluted to say the least. Every character present at the dinner had a complicated history - there were relationships on top of more complicated ones, blackmail, secrets galore, envy and greed and money being one of the main reasons for the envy and animosity. Sifting through it all with the scenic city of Venice as a background was no hardship for this reader.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for sending me this book, courtesy of Netgalley.

I thought I’d give you another famous waterway the Ganges. This photograph taken in Varanasi.

 

Covenant of the Dead by Glenn Cooper

 

It must be my convent education but I am a sucker for anything to do with that kind of background, and you certainly got this in spades with this book.

We have a Secretary of State in the Vatican and it’s a nun! I knew this was going to be different, controversial and exciting. It was all three. Transferring to Harvard as. professor was going to be a change of pace but it was something Elisabetta Celestino was looking forward to. Cal Donovan, long time admirer and in love with said nun, was hoping Harvard would work in his favor, away from the ecclesiastical weight of the Vatican.

Murder and its investigation was not on anyone’s minds till three nuns were murdered in their sleep. No clues, no traces of why and how until a local priest is haplessly taken in for questioning. Both Elisabetta and Cal are doubtful of the priests being the murderer, but the powers that be want to set the story to rest. Another set of murders of nuns means the story does not get put to rest and investigations show several such incidents going back many years. No one has tried to find a link connecting the murders.

Along with the murders, is a story of seances and chief of them, a woman who has quietly conducted them in Boston for decades. An unassuming woman she has not been in the forefront of spiritualism and both Elizabetta and Cal are skeptical when they attend. However when something about her dead brother was said, which was private and unknown to all, Elisabetta has to rethink her beliefs.

The settings of the Vatican and Harvard were exciting and the contrasts were many. The characters were varied. The storyline was one which will make you rethink many things. A very good read.

Thank you to Book Whisperer for sending me this book for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

In keeping with the theme Santa Monica, Old Goa. Beautiful though not very well maintained.

The Determined by Rachel Rueckert

 

Very unusual for any era. History in quite descriptive detail. Not for the faint hearted.

Two female pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny, both their lives determined by circumstances way beyond their control. How they lived (very precarious), always in danger of being discovered, their dangerous liaisons which endangered their lives personally and how it all ended.

Starting and going back to their incarceration, the cleverness of Annie who was determined to stay the execution, her escape though Mary died in prison, all this highlights a story of two determined women, who survived against tremendous odds in the 1720s.

I had to pace myself in reading this story because of the going back and forth, and the many people involved. Overall a very interesting read.

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

Basilica at Goa, India.

A Death at Raven’s Roost by Emily Organ

 

This is only my second read of the two intrepid female detectives Penny and Emma. Set in 1899, the job itself undertaken by them is both bold and dangerous. Women are not found in the profession and they have to face derision, incredulity and mockery apart from downright obstacles deliberately done to get the job done. But they do it, where their male counterparts fail.

The murder of a young labourer whose death does not create any waves for the police is brought for investigation to the two ladies. A seemingly quiet man, digging for background and clues unveils a plot of thuggery, corruption at the highest levels and a series of cover ups starting from the Police itself, going up to the aristocracy where the real power in Britain lies. The section of society that believes they are invincible and have no hesitation in showing it.

Detection is slow but steady and both women are courageous in the face of many obstacles. Justice is found for Archie at the end.

The story apart from its detective genre, brings to light the plight of women in this era highlighting the misuse of power by the privileged class, and the manner in which the poor and simple are kept downtrodden.  The position of women was not much better either and there was a long way to go.

Excellent reading by an author I’d love to get more of! 

Thanks to Storm Publishing for sending me this book, for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Bangkok, Thailand. My amazement at the intricate carvings knows no bounds.

Murder at 30000 Feet by Susan Walter

 

Being packed onto an airplane with 170 odd people is hard enough for six hours. Having a murder take place within the tin can with nowhere to go is also bad. The murderer could be anyone on board. The turbulence was horrible, there were several changes made to where to land because of the weather and a forced landing on an isolated island due to there being no fuel. 

 

Bringing the plane down in shallow water, getting everyone on rafts and onto the island was skilful. 

Dealing with the very mixed bunch of passengers was the problem. Many of them had a history with each other - mostly antagonistic and in some cases a deep need for revenge. Enquiries between the Marshall and the officers monitoring the situation, throw up so many puzzles, that the murder is just one item on the list. The Marshall himself is in deep trouble though that revelation comes at the tail end of the story.

There was a lot going on during the entire story, and though complicated as they all involved different characters it did not detract from the initial delayed take off till the final passenger was rescued. Interesting view on how emergencies are handled on board.

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

The intricate carving found on this cremation site in India was riveting.

The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris by Mark Pryor

 

Hugo a former FBI profiler is now looking forward to his latest venture, opening a bookstore in Paris which for him is a dream come true. He gets sidelined by his friend the US Ambassador in Paris to have a quick look, at a ransom note found at an exclusive chocolate factory. It is the history of its location that intrigues from the beginning. A former convent whose superior Sister Evangeline was famous. The chateau dates back to the 1700s and the present COO has no idea how to decipher the ransom note. A second ransom note follows, cancelling the demands. 

When a body of an employee is found in the adjoining graveyard, also ancient and not used for centuries, the detection part gets heated and everyone becomes suspect. With a very small group of employees to work on, Hugo finds varied stories coming through and he and the local Detective Lerens who is Hugo’s friend have their work cut out for them. Their enquiries take them to not so salubrious areas of Paris,  dealing with people who wish to divulge as little information as possible to the authorities. A second murder and disturbed graves, the discovery of a bag of partially charred bones, a secret tunnel and a secret chamber with the mummified remains of the famous Sister Evangeline unfolds a heart breaking story of centuries past. Frailties of human nature, the need to cover up scandals to save a reputation, bullying in the workplace, the difficulty of working being black and trans amongst closed minded colleagues, are all brought together in this story. The very modern chocolate production in a chateau from the 1700s alongside the ancient, forgotten graveside was interesting and descriptive. The setting in Paris is always a good one and this enhanced the whole story as well.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for sending me this book courtesy of Netgalley.

Zoom in and see the details of this caricature. From Bangkok. Loved the expression.

The Carnival Murders by Irina Shapiro

 

There are murder stories that are factual and then there are murder stories with atmospheric backgrounds, complicated characters from varying backgrounds which add so much depth to the story. Ms. Shapiro’s stories are like that. From the first to the last you are swept into Gemma’s and Sebastian’s lives.

Gemma and Detective Sebastian hope to get married as soon as possible. Colin not able to release Gemma from her nursing duties has been a frustrating obstacle to them but now with a date set both of them feel they are moving forward to a joyful period from the very hard and harsh realities they’ve lived through.

With the discovery of a young woman’s body found autopsied and followed by others they know they are looking out for a cold blooded surgeon killer. The killer seems to be fixated on human beings with disabilities and once the investigation starts several hitherto unknown cases keep getting mentioned. The fact that they were poor, disabled and had no family looking out for them, may be one of the reasons the killer did not get any attention. The first body discovered by Gemma and Sebastian was the anomaly. A normal young woman pregnant with her first child.

Apart from the detective work pursuing the killer and knowing that he would have the patronage of a higher class in society made their job harder. What added to the interest was how the background of the victims was woven into the story, sad though those backgrounds were. The inhumane treatment of anyone who was physically different during Victorian times was horrible. And there was no recourse for the victims. There was no social justice at all. The power of birth and money was paramount.

Connecting the victims from the conjoined twins to the dwarf murdered to Tamzin was hard but they got to the villain in the end

Not an easy read but it was a compulsive one.

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

The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael by Paulette Kennedy

 

Lillian is falsely accused of her sisters murder and is due to be hanged. This is done but she is not dead, and in a horrific state crawls out of her tomb. She knows who is responsible for her sisters death but due to family loyalty keeps quiet. Fast forward to several murders of young women in the town, and the discovery that Lillian is alive, puts the entire focus on her as the murderer.

Lillian has found a life with Kate, an actress who dons several personalities as the demand for her capabilities as an actress grows. Kate and Lillian form a very deep attachment but as the number of victims increase, the need for the town to find Lillian reaches fever pitch. 

This was a story with several narratives. One was the misguided family loyalty of Lillian who protected her mother’s name to the end. Her mother threw her to the wolves at the first hurdle. Kate who first appeared in Lillian’s life as a male who nurtured and looked after her, nursing her back to health, before her real identity as Kate was revealed. The abolitionist movement of whom Lillian’s father was a supporter was an important part of the story. It caused the family to be social outcasts, but it also provided the focus for Lillian’s work at a later stage of her life to join the underground free slavery movement.

The story gothic in parts with the vampire theme of death amongst the women heightened both the atmosphere and tension in the story. The combo was irresistible.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for sending this to me for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

A Wretched Folly by Lynn Messina

The new Duchess of Matlock is an easy going girl, not given to ideas of grandeur but she abhors pineapple and the estate is very proud of its pinery and the successful that it has achieved. Known for her predilection for solving murders, she never expected to find a body in the pinery but she does. Bea now faces tge quandary of solving the murder with the able help of her husband, but trying to keep to the narrow expectations of society at the time.

A nice Regency mystery murder, the hero here is the Duke. Giving ample support in a situation where most husbands of the time would be horrified. Especially as Bea was pregnant. 

Nice story, setting and characters.

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

St Sebastian’s Church. Negombo

 

A Grave Deception by Connie Berry

 

Trying to see similarities between a 14th century murder and a present day one, seems far fetched. It sounds hysterical to anyone investigating but there are so many similar facts that it is uncanny. 

Kate has been asked by the owner of the land where a 14th century body was buried, to find out any identification of the very well preserved corpse. An archaeological study is happening in the area, with the idea that it could be a plague pit. Grave finds have been documented but Kate discovers anomalies in the accounting of several gold finds. When the body of the chief archaeologist is found in one of the pits,  Kate’s husband Tom comes in to head the investigation. A second body is also found and the investigation has to be pushed further, before more bodies turn up. Tom is on another investigation with a missing, dangerous fugitive and he has to handle not two dangerous situations, but also a difficult co-worker bent on undermining the police presence. 

Using documents of over seven hundred years ago, Kate is hopeful of bringing the ancient mystery to a close. Linked with the site are the other murders and clues have to be woven together to bring justice for those killed.

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

Ornate and very much in the Portuguese style, the church of St Mary’s in Negombo. This has been on my bucket list along with a couple more churches in this area. Saw them all.

The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw

 

This story was a fascinating one of a woman striving to succeed in her own right as a successful astronomer, but always living in the shadow of her widely successful brother. Her brother was a hugely popular musician and Caroline excelled in that field as well. When astronomy took over and her brother began to be sponsored by Royalty, Caroline felt she had no alternative but to follow him, her alternative was to be sent back to Hanoverian, to live the life of a servant to her autocratic brother and mother.

Caroline developed her astronomical skills quickly and began to get recognition in her own right. She was unable to find a partner and resented her brothers wives when they appeared on the scene. 

She was bound by family bonds but could not recognise her role as a sibling. 

The story shows her struggle to survive, to get financial independence and to accept her value as a human being, rather than a help meet and support to her brothers. It came very late though. The Georgian era was not supportive of clever women and Caroline is a stark example. The book was a one you could not rush through but it gave you a lot to think about.

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

The view from my flat. Because of the intense heat, everything is blooming. Bougainvillea in double shades of pink and white and a ehela tree in yellow which only blooms in April.

Murder by Moonrse by Patrice McDonough

 

A read I had to finish in one go. 1867 setting an outstanding lady doctor, rarer than hens teeth, a very different detective, Queen Victoria, her two daughters and all the royal rules and peculiarities one could muster, the background of the looming and ever present Irish Rebellion that the English would like to gloss over and the Isle of Wight, favoured by Queen Victoria.

The story starting with the murder of a ladies maid, and then slowly linking to the murder of her sister, a coachman, a milkman and the list goes on. 

It seems like the murderer needs to cover his back by eliminating any and everyone linked to the story. A meticulous and clever schemer,  Inspector Richard Tennant seems to be always one step behind. Dr Julia Lewis is the Detectives partner and help meet in all his endeavours, and both of them have feelings for each other. Sadly the Crimean war and their professions have kept them apart till now.

The story is a terrific one combining so much history with lifestyles of the aristocrats living under Queen Victoria who never let go of the reins, despite not being in the public eye, ruled the daughters and son living under her eyes with a will of iron and how secrets hidden for decades can be such a danger. It also gives glimpses of how attitudes are changing and how women will gradually fight and get what is rightfully theirs. 

Couldn’t put this one down.

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

Stretch of beach in baking heat at Matara, Southern Coast of Sri Lanka.

The Witching Hours by Heather Graham

 

A story combing a lot of history depicted by its setting, a touch of the fantasy in the form of very otherwise normal people and a whole lot of evil set by a manipulative man thriving on the weakness and fragility of some humans.

We have abductions and kidnappings, the latest being mothers and children, and a devoted nanny and their charge. Going back into recently missing persons, one comes up with varying people. Someone homeless, someone addicted. All those on the fringe of society. The two detectives sent to assist the local team are “special”. Both can visualise images and people from objects owned by victims or from places where incidents have happened. Keeping their talents quiet, is part of the strategy particularly in an area like Salem, where  hunting of witches was commonplace and thousands were executed on the slightest suspicion.

The story was different and I did like the historical detail. It was a different opinion on witchcraft, the manifestations and the culture I liked reading about, as it was different to a somewhat similar culture still practiced today amongst certain people today in my country, where astrology and spirit or rather paranormal practices still influence people.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing who sent me the book for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Images from a temple in South Sri Lanka

The Politician by Tim Sullivan

 

Another Inspector George Cross special, done the Tim Sullivan way. Precise, to the point, all corners tucked in neatly and a lesson in logic, facts and detection. Couldn’t put it down.

Peggy Frampton, former mayor now a popular influencer, found dead. A stash of expensive jewellery gone. A burglary gone wrong and the higher powers would like to close the case. But there is more to meet the eye and Cross and Ottey ( long suffering but now understanding Cross better than before) are on the case working in tandem to unlock unfaithful husbands, links with gangs and people who do not like Peggy’s new role as agony aunt.

Unravelled slowly, with multiple suspects another excellent read.

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

Mrs Walford by Brenda Tyedmers

 

Set in the 1800s between Halifax and New York, we go back and forth through decades and lots of information via diaries, memoirs and past events. Some of them do not seem connected but they eventually form the story of how Sadie Walford tried to escape a morphia addiction, was presumed dead for years by her family, was very much alive. The story behind her was complicated.

There are many facets in this story which are part of history itself and then there is the Tiffany glass making which was a story in itself. Lifestyles amongst many levels of society from boarding houses to independently wealthy people of the time added further layers of interest.

A story which would be of interest to those who like historical fiction as well as a close look how addiction was handled in the 1800s. Both the scientific and rather primitive ways were detailed. 

Sent by the author via the  Independent Book Publishers Association,  courtesy of Netgalley.

A Whiff of Murder by Angela M. Sanders

 

An old haunted house, three inmates two who seem ultra sensitive to the house and its past inhabitants, one with an acute awareness of scents and smells and each having pasts they’d like to stay hidden. A murder which seems like a death under natural circumstances, which even the police deem as a natural death. These three women decide otherwise and embark on the dangerous path of trying to find the murderer.

Involving the ex husband of the victim (vociferous despite being an ex), the only son blaise and almost indifferent to his mother’s death and a whole home of retirees who could also be suspects. 

A cozy definitely but it’s the characters, all of them that make up the interesting part of the story. Set in small town Oregonian, everyone seems to know everyone adding to the descriptive part of tge story.

Interesting cozy.

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

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly

 

Dr Gwen Griffiths is not just changing countries, she is changing jobs as well. From working as managing editor in a Texan newspaper to heading a department in Journalism in a smaller setting of a university in Wales. She is looking forward to making the journalism department, the best of its kind. On her first day, after a very pleasant welcome dinner, she is confronted by the one person antagonistic from the beginning, who keels over dead at her feet.

The death is confirmed as suspicious, and strangely despite the victim being unknown to her, it seems Gwen is initially a person of interest. Slowly unraveling the story behind the surly dead woman , lies a long complicated history, unknown to any of her colleagues who have worked with her for years. 

The setting of the story in Wales was a first for me. The characters were interesting and the inquiry went in differing directions, before settling down!

Very interesting read with all the elements of a good cozy and lots of humour as well.

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

On another note we are having intolerably hot weather and I am looking longingly at scenes of icy rain in Bangalore to pouring rain in Texas. The grass is always greener on the other side.

The Witty Witches of Concord by Elizabeth Dunne

 

Concord, a small town seems to have more than its fair share of crime. Louisa May Alcott a resident has been in the forefront of solving past mysteries and when the body of Hannah Crook is found, it is to her that detectives turn to. On top of that a ritualistic murder of cattle adds to the mystery and gothic feel to the story, involving elements of magic, stories of witchcraft, energising the folk with a sense of unease that more dire things are about to happen. 

The story involves eccentric folk in the form of sisters, already under suspicion of murder and ever ready to create mayhem at any time, amongst a host of likely and unlikely suspects. A historical mystery combining the best of superstition and folk stories set against the detective skills of Ms Alcott who has to look through the muddled facts and decipher the truth.

Unusual characterization S, good setting and story are the marks of this book.

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

The Patient by Tim Sullivan

 

A young woman Flick is found dead from a drug overdose. A former drug addict now clean, her death is considered a suicide. Her mother has doggedly been of the opinion that she was murdered, and DI Cross, always a voice for the unheard is curious about the case.

Upsetting his superiors and Detective Campbell who closed the case was never going to be a problem for Cross. Afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorder, he never knows if he is arrogant or rude (he often is) but works on logic and fact. Having an excellent conviction record helps and the story is a masterclass of finding facts, deleting the unnecessary and finding the murderer.  

The narration is splendid and the story unravels keeping the reader on edge, taking you from one suspects to the next. Wonderful read.

Looking forward very much to the next read from this author.

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

Caricature in intricate detail of a white man in one of the most famous shrines in Bangkok.

All in her Hands by Audrey Blake

 

1849 a female surgeon is a rarity and Dr Nora Gibson has to fight her way through the suspicious, wary and downright ferocious male fraternity to earn her place. On top of that she has to fight the opposition of her own sex, who do not think being a surgeon is a proper job for a woman. Annoying and upsetting the upper echelons of society is a thing to be avoided at all costs, because funding for everything is dependent on those who have the money and Nora does not seem to be dealing with them well.

The onset of a cholera epidemic, striking first the poorer sections of society and then creeping its way to the richer parts of the city affect the small coterie of doctors who support Nora. Her being pregnant does not help matters both with her husband who is hurt that she hid the fact and continued to work, and with his immediate family who cut ties with her and her husband over this. 

The story highlights the limitations of the medical profession in the 19th century and the lack of scientific knowledge on the part of doctors who wanted to keep the community closed both physically and scientifically to new methods and fresh ideas. The need to make money prevented many of them from seeking help from midwives, who had experience and knowledge far in excess of doctors who treated a few dozen patients only. The practice of bleeding was still being promoted and it was sheer luck that there were less fatalities than could be expected. The levels of hygiene amongst the poor was abysmal and no surprise that death rates were so high. The levels of hygiene of indifference to the poor was startling except for a few charities who tried to make a difference. Much more could definitely have been done. 

An eye opener of a read. History, lifestyle and an evaluation of social mores at the time.

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

The Case of the Christie Curse by Kelly Oliver

 

The setting is exotic 1930 Mesopotamia, present day Iraq. The characters in the story are varied and exciting. Starting with the famed Ms Christie, we have the intrepid members of the Detection Club invited to the digs by Miss Christie because she felt that things were not quite what they seemed. 

What Theo and Eliza expected were exciting finds. What they faced was tensions within the camp, secrets that could break the funding of the group, looting of assets, and eventually murder. There are plenty of suspects but finding the correct one is key. Eventually Theodor and Eliza not only have to find a murderer but they also have to acknowledge their feelings for each other. One feature which was enlightening in the story is the looting of artefacts which finds their way to colonial masters and not to the countries to which they actually belong.

This story is part of a series but does well as a stand-alone.

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

A Field Guide to Murder by Michelle L. Cullen

 

Harry globe trotting anthropologist now retired. To add to his boredom he is suffering with a fractured hip and has at last got a care giver whom he likes. The earlier one was a martinet. Harry also snoops, almost stalkerish but it’s benign. His neighbours aren’t benign though and this very respectable, expensive part of town hides a lot of secrets and even fugitives. 

First the death of one neighbour sends Harry into high speed action, because he is the only one who thinks the death is suspicious, and no amount of providing links to the local Police makes them waiver from their accidental death verdict. The Police do not want amateur snoops interfering with their business but quirky Harry disabled as he is, has somehow persuaded Emma his caregiver who has romantic problems of her own, to join him in his pursuit of justice for their neighbours Sue.

Unravelling secrets in the past of several neighbours puts them right in the middle of toughened crooks but this unlikely interesting generational team is determined to solve the murders. Quirky and funny this was a lovely read.

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

View from my window. 32 degree scorching heat.