Secrets of the Monsoon Sky by Adite Bhide

 

Eartha has spent her entire life in an orphanage. No love or kindness shown to her as a child, then on to a nursing career.  An aunt appearing out of the blue offering her a life in India, was too much of a risk to take. Eartha was a cautious young woman but she did decide to go and meet the only family she had.

The journey was exhausting and when she finally turned up at her destination, she found out that her aunt had passed away but her uncle was warm and welcoming. Meeting British women was an eye opener because they had rigid ideas of their power and prominence and wanted the divide between the Indians and the British to be rigidly maintained.

Eartha found herself at odds with this attitude and found herself in the middle of a major conflict. It led to her and her Uncle being ostracised by British society but she began to meet more and more Indians who were fighting for independence and she understood their concerns for the future.

Eartha also had to come to grips with her own parents history in India, and though this was conflicting she also found love in India.

A story of a woman’s courage to stand for what is right, at a time when women generally were not considered independent. This was 1917 India. Women were not expected to behave independently the way Eartha did and this did not help her to make friends. The story also gave one glimpses of life in India not just for the Britishers but also educated Indians who were treated as second class citizens in their own land.

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

The Baby in her Arms by Suzanne Goldring

 

Set in 1943 occupied Paris. Starting with the round up of Jews a desperate mother locks eyes with a young Frenchwoman on the sidewalk and drops her newborn in a rubbish bin, praying that she will be saved and she is.

The occupation is hazardous for all French citizens and Sadie is in a quandary how to bring up an infant in a brothel, because Sadie is a young prostitute, just trying to survive. Neighbours give details of suspicious behaviour to the Nazi and Sadie is terrified of the questioning that will follow if they discover an infant with her. When the Americans free the city and an offer to adopt the little girl comes up, Sadie decides in the best interest of the child to give up the baby she considers her own.

Fast forward several decades and Ellen wants to discover her roots. Taken aback at her beginnings, she discovers her Jewish heritage and the suffering that her mother went through before she was released. Apart from the main characters, there were many women who helped the baby to survive, from a woman acting as a wet nurse as well as the Madame of the bordello who offered her protection to the infant.

The lifestyle at the time of the occupation was horrific and so many did not survive the bombardment, the starvation and the inhuman treatment meted to prisoners. 

The story was emotional and heart breaking with so much sadness but for Ellen it ended on a positive note.

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

The Vanished by Irina Shapiro

 

I’ve only read the Tate and Bell books by this author so this was a wonderful surprise.

Historical fiction at its best, along with a fascinating family saga. I do not want to give too much away because this is an excellent read.

Douglas Bellamy,  Earl of Gosforth is dying. He has two unmarried daughters and is worried over their future. The estate is entailed to a male heir who is American, and turns out to be charming. Lady Geneva has half heartedly started an affair with the estate manager, that road is not going anywhere. Honor the second daughter is scheming and calculating, determined to throw a spanner in the works. This is the original timeline.

Fast forward to 2023. Quinn reputed clairvoyant, who picks up stories by holding on to an item of a missing or dead person, has suffered immensely by trolls in the media ridiculing her ability. Now a body is discovered in the peaty well of Winchcombe Estate and it needs to be identified. Quinn immediately reckons more details of the woman’s death and can pinpoint the year of her death. The story unfolds how even when girls, especially those in the upper classes had rigorous guidelines to follow, there were always loopholes and deviations which because they were never guided in practical ways of living had devastating results as in the case of the Bellamy sisters.

Over riding greed for power and position, simmering jealousy within the family blighted the Bellamy family throughout.

An additional side story of Quinn’s brothers mysterious disappearance and the need to protect his young son, at all costs was a distraction to the Bellamy story which was complicated enough.

The story of Quinn’s abilities is inexplicable and cannot be understood by logic or science, but such people obviously exist. The fact that it helps to clear up a mystery and brings justice to the victims, is good. We just take it from there.

A complicated story, sent by Storm Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Operation Vienna by Michael Ridpath

 

I am glad I got to the first in the pre WWI series so that I can now look for the others.

It was a tense read because we read about the establishment of the Weimar Republic and the fast growing popularity of the Nazi party. We read so much about the actual living under the Nazi establishment, this gives us an inkling how comfortable life was for “others” pre Nazi and how lives were changed so much post.

The background of Berlin was key to the story and the characters of Esme and Archie were stellar. So different yet woven together very well to produce a tense and emotional story.

I look forward to the next read by this author.

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

The Botanist’s Secret by Liz Eeles

 

Morwenna and Tamsin are the only inhabitants of an isolated island, three miles from the nearest village. Buffett end by stormy seas the crossing is rough. Tamsin conducts studies in botany for students and this the only source of income. Morwenna, her grandmother deals with salves and elixirs and does not much care for the students who periodically come over.

When someone comes looking for a person missing for thirty years, who has links to the island, he won’t let go of his quest, despite Morwenna saying no such person came to the island. During a raging storm, a huge almost magical tree falls over revealing human remains and the detection of a long lost woman comes alive, unearthing a history that was hidden for a long time.

The story was good and the setting unusual. The two main characters were themselves unusual. 

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

Sisters of tge Midnight Sun by Fiona Valpy

 

Told in two timelines 2005 and the 1940s both stories carry grief and the trying by both women to survive a wave of sadness. 

Ruby has come to Scotland in the aftermath of losing a beloved twin sister. She is trying to come to terms with her loss and believes a change of scene will help. Hanna a survivor of the Nazi regime, also lost a sister in the dreaded camps, but before that lost her parents. Hanna a member of the Resistance is sent to Scotland for training and meets someone whom she is attracted to, but their paths get diverted because she has to move back to the Shetland Islands, where she does the dangerous work of being a radio operator. 

The stay in Scotland is healing for both women. Nurturing a small Croft which was a a small holding, was not easy under the constant threat of a neighbours expansion plans but the two women are determined to carry on.

Initially starting as a story of survival under an oppressive regime, it evolves into a story of friendship and care which was very touching to read.

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

Secrets of the Penny University by Amanda Roberts

 

Amy and Gareth are so excited to open a coffee shop, all complete with the bells and whistles needed for a 2025 modern coffee shop. It has been in the Cowper family for generations starting from 1656 so it really has history. Discovering a mural set off a voyage of discovery for Amy who was wanting to get to the whole story. When Amy suddenly began to see people and sense tension in the room, much to the cynical dismay of Gareth, her determination to get to the whole story is part of this story.

1656 we have Tilly, pregnant with a lover gone to Jamaica and she sent to a relationship to wait out her pregnancy. Adept at figures, she settles into life at the Cowpers, befriending Bertie, the Cowpers little boy, ignored by his parents. Jane resents her presence despite her help, but Lawrence Cowpers appreciates the work she puts in. Jane Cowpers sickly but dies at the hands of a murderous man and Tilly has her baby son, purportedly dead but actually given for adoption. Tilly marries the widower Lawrence but Nat her former lover appears and this causes a rift between Tilly and Lawrence.

The story is full of a lifestyle of Oxford 1656 and present day Oxford which for me was very interesting to read. Amy deciphering the whole history of Tilly, Nat, and the Cowpers brought to life history of 1656, turbulent times in England under Cromwell. The entire read was fascinating.

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

The Harlot of St Cecelia’s by Darcy Graves

 

England 1923. The war over but not forgotten. Hundreds of soldiers who have returned suffering trauma. Not recognised for what it actually is and most people do not know how to deal with it. Eden an American librarian looking for her brother works at St Cecelias. Unexpectedly gets drawn into a family drama. Getting locked in overnight with Simon Cross was unexpected, and finding Isabelle Jalbert murdered in the library while they were locked up added to the problem, worse since Isabelle was married to Simon long years ago.

The immediate suspects are Simon and Eden, and the Detective’s boss wants Simon taken into custody as quickly as possible and the case wrapped up. Inspector Garrett prefers to follow the rules with evidence and motives his guidance. He is not sure that Simon is the murderer and so the cat and mouse investigation begins.

A nicely written debut mystery novel and an author I will be looking out for.

Thank you to Pomegranate Seed Press for sending me this book for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Victims of St. Just by Sally Rigby

 

Detective Lauren and Matt have their work cut out for them. A body found in a commercial freezer, definitely a murder not an accident and in a high profile TV Chef’s kitchen was going to get a lot of publicity, especially because the victims was the chef’s husband.

An isolated manor,  just a few clients following a cookery course, a handful of employees. Clues begin to emerge fast because employees and clients all have secrets to hide and the enforced stay after the murder, means that tempers flare and tensions rise. A lot of twists and turns and good detection involved.

A good mystery.

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

The Case of the Christie Honeymoon Murder by Kelly Oliver

 

Agatha Christie is on her honeymoon on an Egyptian cruise. She is not amused to find Eliza and Theo, sleuths independently on the same cruise, though they are friends. Jane, Eliza’s sister has asked them to watch out for espionage because M15 feels that Christie’s last book and this cruise has too many coincidences. They want to find the spy in the midst of all these very rich people.

Set on the cruise itself, this closed box mystery is a mix of all that is interesting in this genre. Murder plus a touch of romance makes for a happy ending.

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

The Housekeeper by Rose Tremain

 

Set on the coast of Cornwall, reimagined story of Daphne du Maurer and her illicit relationship with Mrs Danowski aka Danni, tge capable housekeeper of Lord Grenville Withers is full of strong emotions, tense relationships and unrequited and unbalanced love.

Both women knew there was no future for their love story and Danni particularly had to deal with the aftermath which was hard and which changed her life. Daphne used this as the basis of her novel Rebecca, but painting the housekeeper in the story as malevolent, so different from Danni. It was a sad end for both women but the era was so very different that one knew the outcome would be hard.

Apart from the two women’s lives, it is full of life in the 1930s, the class differences and how everything and everyone was given a specific role and place in society. Very few could break the mould. This added a great deal of detail and nuance to the story.

Sent by Random House UK Vintage for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Marine Drive in Bombay covered in a haze. Back in Colombo now.

Investigating a death at a remote Scottish castle with a storm setting in and the owner aggressive, rude and overbearing was not how DI Anna envisaged Christmas to be. With a pre meditated, brutal murder at Dumfala Castle, resources limited due to the holidays and many secrets hidden, this is not an easy task.

Robert Fairlie is obsessed with restoring the castle and wants to keep the murder under wraps so that the deal he is negotiating with a TV company is not jeopardised. He is a very harsh man and the list of suspects multiplies by the day. Facing severe blizzards two detectives have to deal with a killer on the loose.

Beautifully descriptive of life in a remote island, this story showcases the best of a British cozy.

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

Writer in Residence by Rhonda McKnight

 

It was the setting of Low Country Carolina, the culture of the Gullah that made this book different. Alexandra is having severe writers block and a forced retreat seems to be an option to get her in a writing spirit. Meeting up with Gabe and the rest of the Gullah community helped her to settle down and be a part of a community, long denied her.

Discovering her roots certainly helped and she had to understand why her mother hid so much information from her. It was not easy to forgive or forget, but Alexandra wanted to move on. Forgiving the omissions of the past helped her to forgive and start writing again.

An almost coming of age story, simply narrated.

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

Kailasa Temple, fabulous carvings, a three kilometre walk. Here for a couple of days.

The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller

 

1880s Ohio and the harsh but realistic story of Mary, Ida and Anna at Oberlin, indicates how fortunate I am to be born in present times. Three women of colour, the only obvious thing they had in common. Their backgrounds were very different both socially and financially. What they shared was a yearning for education which was just the privilege of a few coloured folk, and the desire to be a catalyst for change.

Following their careers at Oberlin - the blatant discrimination they faced, the racial taunts at every turn, the bias of the faculty who turned a blind eye to what was going on under their noses was a travesty for equality and justice. For those like Anna who had come out of enslavement recently, the changes were hard to follow through after decades of oppression and fear. For Mary, with powerful backing and supportive parents the transition to face danger head on was something Mary enjoyed as a challenge.

I read the book in one sitting, and the Authors Notes were very good reading and explanations of a history that may be forgotten or ignored as part of Black History. The marginalisation of communities in this case by colour was horrific, debased and humiliating. It continues in various degrees all over tge world to this date.

Excellent reading.

Sent by Thomas Nelson Fiction for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley. Thank you to all.

In the Midnight Hour by Darcy Burke

 

Lady Cartwright loves books and has found a personal she considered a kindred spirit in her own neighbourhood. Finding him murdered didn’t do her any favours as she was the last to see him alive, and even more so when his last will left his fortune to her. Lord Northwood, another neighbour is attracted to the Lady but first he wants to help her clear her name. She is the sole suspect so far.

Detection in Victorian England worked on a different method. There were lots of subjects too delicate for the females, despite said females having to face male oppression, improper behaviour and the like.  Uncovering what goes on in the murdered baronets house made one realise that more than one young maid servant would be happy that the man is now dead.

Working with the coroner and Bow street runners, the duo somehow become privy to more information than what is officially known and solve the crime. There is an unusual twist in the tail at the end.

Very well told, and descriptive of Victorian lives.

Thanks to Oliver Heber Books for sending this book to me for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Millionaire Waltz by Anthony Quinn

 

Edie is attracted to the “different”.  She does not fall into the role of debutante, dutiful daughter though tge facade of dutiful fiancée is maintained for some time. Her heart is not in her engagement and her fast approaching marriage, to the confusion of her fiancée, her mother and her annoyed mother in law.

Edie gets involved platonically with several men, who are closet homosexuals ( for the time it had to be) but her sympathies are very much for them. Edie wanted a working life and she found that in the theatre. In small parts but she was happy that she got what she worked hard for. It was not a job that people of the upper classes did, and the story highlights this lifestyle as against the more mundane working middle class. Edie was light hearted and did not come across as condescending but she did not treat people as well as she ought to have.

Embodying 1920s society whirl it was in stark contrast to the aftermath of WWI and the struggle and heartache people were trying to get accustomed to.

Sent by Little, Brown Book Co. UK for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The River Runs Black by Tessa Wegert

 

Alexandria Bay is a small town near the Canadian border. The death of a sixteen year old sent shock waves through this town as this was something not commonplace here. When a massive stocks of drugs was discovered coming over from Canada, it sent the police force into a sense of euphoria, that at last that they were helping to make a dent in the horrific trade. However, when investigations proved that the drugs that killed Drew Fielding were different from the massive haul, Detectives now faced a very difficult fact. That two sets of operatives were working in this town and the fact that they got away with it for so long, rankled with the detectives.

What followed was a painstaking detection programme, uncovering blackmail, trafficking, abduction, murder and cracks within the police force itself. It was no longer a small town affair, the effects were rippling in bigger and bigger circles.

Dark and very tight paced it was a very good read.

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

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey by Nancy Bilyeau

 

Catherine Tilley is very settled in her life in rural Gloucestershire. Happily married with two young daughters, she wants a similar happy life for her girls. Decades ago her life was disrupted by the Thorpe brother and sister who destroyed her mind but fortunately she found peace with Henry Tilney. Catherine is now horrified when Isabella Thorpe appears in Bath, and her daughter befriends Catherine’s daughter Phoebe. The duo become inseparable much to Catherine’s dismay, but it is only she who suspects Isabella’s motives in befriending her daughter.

When a letter inviting Phoebe to remote Dartmoor is extended, Catherine flatly declines to send Phoebe but eventually gives in accompanying her on this long and arduous journey. Throughout and during the stay, Catherine feels that a plot is in the air, and definitely not for Phoebe or Catherine’s good. When her fears are realised, Catherine must use her limited resources to get them out of danger. 

The story deals with young women at the mercy of greedy men, only intent on the dowry that they bring.  In this story an illicit relationship which already existed between Isabella and Lord Pomeroy, where Phoebe was to be the bait as well as the cover for their relationship to continue. Both parties had no scruples in involving others, and in Isabella’s case even coercing her children in pursuit of her wishes.

The dangers that young women with good fortune faced was very real and that may be the reason for such strict protocols in place. Amply emphasised in the story. A very intriguing story.

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

Weligama Bay, Southern Coast of Sri Lanka.

The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen

 

Ingrid and her former co workers now live a quiet retired life in a small town in Maine. The death of a former defector cum world famous authority on infectious diseases from Ebola, is not of concern especially as he has just returned from Africa. Investigations show he was murdered and when a waitress nearby is found murdered in a particularly brutal manner the former band of spies are alerted that maybe a Russian killer is amongst them and targeting Ingrid in particular.

The story goes back to Amsterdam so that is where Ingrid and a former colleagues (former lover) goes. Tracing a minute clue with no apparent links but in the absence of any other clues, they start the pursuit of whoever is behind the killings. 

The pursuit is relentless on both sides and the entire group joins in pursuit of Ingrid, to help out and safeguard the entire club. Their retirement is put on hold and they are all back in the
game.

Very good look at how espionage works today. Another good read from this author.

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

The Case of Bingley’s Missing Aphrodite by Emma Aubrey

 

I like almost all variations of the Pride & Prejudice theme. This was different and it was such a lovely read.

Mr and Mrs Bennett are deceased, the property has been entailed and three of the Bennett girls are living with a distant cousin in London, in respectable but impoverished conditions. Elizabeth is up north, working as a governess. Bingley has lost a very valuable statue and through a series of coincidences, reaches out to Mr Bennett to help him find the statue. The change in scenario, came when Darcy joins Bennett in the Sherlock Holmes style of detection, with many twists and a murder thrown in for good measure.

A further twist and a very pleasant one also happens and readers will be surprised how the tale turns.

A must for Pride & Prejudice fans.

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

The Rayburn Affair by Laurie Petrou

 

Ruth Morgan is desperate to obtain tenure. Struggling mentally and overburdened with questions regarding her future, she fears the worst. Until she teams with the golden couple Oscar a star in his own right and the glittering comet by his side, the darling of the writing world his wife Shelby. Immediately things begin to move for Ruth. The aura enveloping the couple covers her too. Ruth feels confident, feels that she can take on the University and also write again.

Shelby offers a path that Ruth has not even thought about before with her writing dreams. One that she has to keep secret till the big reveal. The story delves into AI with its very wide ramifications. What is real. What is manufactured by a bot. Where does human effort figure in writing? The human element is it getting phased out? Is the human even necessary?

All this and more takes you down a rabbit hole. On the periphery is human envy and jealousies, female friendships when they get too intense and relationships in general.

A read that gets you thinking.

Sent by Verve Books for an unbiased read courtesy of Netgalley.

The Country House Murders by Friday Turner

 

Wartime Britain was a dangerous place to be. Incessant and unexpected bombing raids by the German 

 Fleet made Polly’s life as an air raid warden a trial. Constantly seeing sudden death, destruction of property and the sense of hopelessness and futility would drag anyone down. Polly was stoic and got on with it until she met the charming Freddie, drunk and doddering on his way to a nightclub, when the sirens went off and she dragged him protesting to a half bombed house for safety. The nightclub was bombed, everyone died and Freddie realised that Polly had saved his life.

Offering her a job, they then embark on an adventure to mark out properties suitable for use as field hospitals or convalescent homes. Arriving in a fairly huge state house, where the occupants are known to Freddie was easy. The sudden death of the head of the house was unexpected, particularly because only Polly felt it was suspicious. The local Bobby brushed it off as accidental after too much booze, the widow was nonchalant about the affair and his son after a stint overseas and on Home Leave couldn’t care less. When the second death occurs of a person, closely connected to the first victim, the idea of accident is against mooted.

The detection by Polly and a reluctant Freddie continues, uncovering a black market operation cheating the government on a massive scale involving a very senior government official. The officials have now got to sit-up and take notice of facts.

The story apart from the mystery and murder was so descriptive of wartime Britain. The endless rationing, the distinct demarcation between the classes which the upper class were hanging onto for dear life and the emergence of women going out to work in factories for the first time.  Very good reading.

I hope a sequel would clear the mystery of Polly’s mother.

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

The Bravest Hiur by Anna Lee Huber

 

Verity Kent, is an extraordinary agent working for British intelligence. Escaping the trial in Belgium and Germany, underrated by many of the men working with her, as well as her bosses, her real talents are highlighted in this story.

November 1920 Dublin not the best place to be. She and husband Sidney are amongst enemies, personal ones and Lord Ardmore is treacherous and protected by his title. She has flouted his planned attack by phosgene on an unsuspecting public, and he is not a man to forget. Taken in for questioning, tortured and imprisoned this time at the notorious Castle, she and Sidney have to work through friends on both sides to stop Ardmore.

The Irish Rebellion was harsh. No holds barred. The ordinary man suffered in random attacks of revenge and the death toll was high and destruction of people’s livelihoods was rampant. The Government turned a blind eye and media coverage was one sided. If a publisher decided to be truthful, he was severely dealt with. It was a Nazi style state. One which the average person outside Ireland was unaware of.

The story described as historical fiction is full of facts as well though our chief characters may be fictional. Moving and extremely well written story.

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

Miss Morton Takes tge Waters by Catherine Lloyd

 

Set in Bath, the idea is to help Mrs F improve her health both mentally and physically and Caroline feels that the move is a good one for them both. Her boss is forthright and is not affected by the airs and graces of the ladies who look down on her for her “industrialised” origins. 

A murder in the same block of flats of a Lady who was rude and unpleasant sets the two amateur detectives in full investigative mode, much to the Inspector in charge. He seems ineffectual, unable to look beyond the actual facts to the histories of the various people involved or the nuances of the characters and it is upto the two ladies to connect the dots in what is quite a convoluted case.

Apart from the murders, and the detection there is a lot going on, on the social side and the sulphuric air and steamy baths add to the description of life in Bath. All adding a great deal of interest to the story.

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

The Whitechapel Mystery by Tessa Harris

 

Combining plenty of horrific murders, set in the time of Jack the Ripper, the story brings to life the history of Whitechapel, of how people survived despite the squalor and poverty of the time, and mirrored the terror faced by working women who did what they did to just survive.

There was one more strand which made it different from other Ripper stories. It brought in a genre of spiritual mediums into the story with the very plausible flow of messages from Emily, a teacher to Constance a young girl who was stronger in character and tenacity and who proved to be a conduit as a medium.

Victorian England described well.

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

Murder Stage Left by Verity Bright

 

Lady Eleanor her husband Hugh and Clifford the butler along with their entourage have descended on Stratford upon Avon. Everyone awaits a play of Macbeth with a brilliant new cast. They certainly did not expect the burning of the theatre, a murder and loss of priceless artifacts.

Like most murders, all the suspects have “histories” which they’d like to hide, links between them that they’d also like to keep quiet about. An arsonist amongst the suspects adds to the complications in the case, along with an antagonistic Police Chief who does not like having the trio around.

With lots of humour and plenty of good food, the detectives go to work to solve the murders. Always a bright read despite the deaths around.

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

Sisters at an Exhibition by Claudia Hagadus Long

 

A heist, a forgery of a sketch by Caravaggio and two sisters who pull apart but fiercely loyal to each other. A mystery how the sketch goes missing from a highly secured facility, its appearance and then the forgery. The FBI involvement, amusing the bungling and then everyone appearing in Alsace, where all the villains are.

Fast paced, very interesting and conveying the strong bonds of family over riding everything else.

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

Dramatic rocks called Lovers Leap in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

Murder in St James’s Park by Vanessa Riley

 

I am trying to vary my reading by going into more modern settings for the detective/mystery genre but I seem to getting into the Regency or Victorian era more and more.

1807 and Lady Abigail wants nothing more than to have her husband out of her life permanently. She did not want to be the one to find his body in the park, murdered. Clues left behind seemingly point to Abigail being the main suspect. No small detective herself, Abigail must use all her wits to find the murderer, especially when the ones plotting her downfall are her own family.

With a regency setting and mixed race ancestry in the story, it features abolitionists, the history of slave plantations and the mystery of what James was actually involved in. Fast paced and quite out of character, the women in the story are very different.

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

Killing in the Countryside by Maria Malone

 

Of all things Sergeant Ali and her help Wilson are being called to help out with a pride of peacocks who have shifted residence and are terrorising a particular household. The small village is divided on the issue with some supporting the animals right to freedom as they have been there for years. But for Gina and her husband it is a deep rooted fear of the birds.

When a vicious murder takes place, the situation changes because there seems to be many suspects who cannot be ruled out and in a small village like Heft, gossip and rumours flourish.

We get the cozy mystery genre and the idyllic English village in equal measure and discover that everyone has secrets that they will like to stay hidden. How much they will go to ensure that those secrets stay hidden is the issue here.

Very comfortable reading of the genre.

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

Death on the Pier by Pauline Rowson

Detective Alun Ryga is an introspective, quiet man. He has survived a gruelling time in a WWII camp and now serves Scotland Yard. A peculiar case of a missing corpse sees Ryga sent to the small coastal town of 
South End On Sea in Essex. A small town atmosphere where everyone seems to know everyone 1951 England is still recovering from the brutality of the War.

The man who calls himself a Commander who discovered the body is shifty, and it is not easy to befriend him. Unraveling the puzzle of the missing body is an even bigger mystery and with Ryga working undercover, it is not possible to have access to navy records or the local police, until the Commander himself is found murdered and then Ryga is forced to divulge his identity.

A slower paced detective story, reminiscent of the times and people and lifestyle of the age, it made for very pleasant reading.

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

The Last Retreat by Marina Palmer

 

Starting in Ukraine with a brutal shooting, and ending in a luxurious manor retreat in England the story is a mix of espionage, journalists getting a little too curious and the complicated and probable (now) world of computer wizardry.

Trying to recuperate at her mother’s home at Belford Abbey Tash was not exactly relaxing. Her mother’s clients include Elliot Drake and his entourage. Tash was also approached by M16 to spy on Elliot and she a novice to the game was going to get double dealt with by someone. 

The story develops from this base and deals with probable scenarios where clever people can eventually with the aid of artificial intelligence dominate the world.  It was a very absorbing theory and made for good reading.

Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the book, the review is unbiased. Thanks to Netgalley.

A Shroud of Snow by Sarah Hawkswood

 

Set in 1145 Hamelin was found with his head beaten in. A man unassuming, not given to brawls, charitable to the poor, recommended by the poor, his colleagues and the priests.  Who would want him dead?

A mystery murder set in the 12th century contrasts vividly to present times. No instant communications, no hi tech gadgets just very slow tedious questioning and deduction, that has not changed and then a clever detective can connect the dots. The Undersheriff Bradecote and DS George Cross share the same 

meticulous attention to detail and this is what stood out.

Descriptive of the lifestyle of the period, always interesting to see the differences between the haves and the  have nots (particularly bad during this period) this was a very good read.

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

Random picture of Kathakali dancers during one of my trips.

A Betrothed’s Betrayal by Deb Marlowe

 

Lady Lisette is in an unusual position for a single lady. That is for the Regency period. She has ditched her fiancée, a cad of the worst kind but the heartache from the sudden death of her brother is the one reason she feels lost.  He has provided for her amply, and she now finds herself in charge of A beautiful village in the Cotswolds but not without

its share of opposition to any new measures she brings in. Resistance to change is not new and the Lady has to step carefully.

Her position gets compromised almost immediately on arrival when her ex fiancée is found murdered and the local police, headed by former Bow Street runner, the dour Mr Sowerby is deeply suspicious of Lady Lisette and she is his first suspect.

The story dealing with the intrinsic charms of village life, gossip, character assassination and all add to the charm, but does not detract from the fact that a murder has been committed and Lisette is determined to get to the bottom of it and clear her name, mainly to get on with her life.

Interesting and very likeable plot and characters.

Thank you to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the book, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Tailor by Tim Sullivan

 

A bespoke tailor with clients from the very upper circles is found murdered in a brutal manner in a train carriage. No ordinary robbery though his luggage is missing. DS George Cross is on the case with a new assistant which he finds hard to handle, with his former Assistant now promoted over him, overlooking matters.

What follows is a meticulously pulled apart detective story - procedurally detailed, sometimes puzzling to everyone else other than to Cross but bringing to light the murderers involved. A tale of betrayal, espionage, a highly improbable code system and the brilliance of George Cross.

I am sad that this is the last book on my kindle from this author. I was hoarding it and keeping it to enjoy at leisure. 

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

 

I fell in love with this story. Emotionally charged, very powerful feelings and a love story set in 1900s colonial India, then moving to blitzed England, in the grip of German bombing and two people trying to get on with their lives.

The story of Elsie, torn from the country she loves most, uprooted from an environment like India, directly to aristocratic circles and destined for a marriage within those circles. Tanveer her playmate and his sister, 

also of an ancient lineage, both destined for marriages to shore up financially ruin of their courtesy. Both deeply in love and divided by the social standards of the time, but both not giving up on their deep attachment to each other.

Heart breaking most of the time, it was still a very tender love story. Filled with history of both countries starting from 1900 and going on to the First World War, the story encompasses the best of both genres.

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

The English Bookstore in Bologna by Boo Walker

 

Five expats, all very different come together in a very poignant story of love, relationships and a sense of hope against many odds. Sandy tge owner of the bookshop, almost hell bent to make it fail. Sandy has a sad history and does not want to complicate it with love or even a mild flirtation. Moira her assistant, timid as a mouse and frightened to do anything independently until she decides that she is going to be more progressive. Bianca escaping her rat race of a life and then George her father, the very opposite, wanting and seeking the stability of a permanent job, things to do and the mundaneness of lists and “having a plan”. Finally the mousey lovelorn Harold, spurned by Alice the love of his life and now totally lost and wallowing in self pity.

The story was emotional, tense and humorous in stages. It pointed at all the frailties of human egos and how difficult it is to break old habits. However progressive and “modern” we may be, we have deep decades old beliefs drilled into us and those bonds are very difficult to break free from.

I enjoyed this book, and the beauty of Bologna and the food certainly added to the charm.

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

A Season For Justice by John Pilkington

 

England 1618 was a troubled time. Unrest in Europe affected England even in a remote hamlet ex magistrate Justice Belstrang gets involved in activities far beyond his realm. Visiting an old friend Richard Mountford, Belstrang is told that the death of Mountford’s brother is suspicious and he is begged by Richard to pursue private enquiries.

Visiting the foundries where John met with his death, Belstrang is met with suspicion and downright antagonism. A attempted threat to his life is unsuccessful and he realises that what he is uncovering is a wide scale operation, which is treason.

Painstakingly following clues and connecting the dots all lead back to Francis Mountford, Richard’s own son who will have no qualms to kill even his own father to cover up his operation. Belstrang pursues it to the end because his loyalty is to his country and King (despite the King trying to requisition his family home).

A slow pace, no fast action or gimmicks but still a page turner.

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

Murder in a Yorkshire Village by Helena Dixon

 

Part of the Kitty Underhay series doing very well as a standalone, the story combines the serenity and peacefulness of village life, the routine as it stands of England in 1938, coupled with murder with its unpredictable turns and the detective work that goes with it, a subject not quite in keeping with upper class morals.

Kitty and Matt are inadvertently drawn into a murder investigation whilst watching a bicycle race in the village. Discovering the body Kitty has to testify and is drawn into the subsequent proceedings when it is discovered that it was no accident but murder. When a second body is discovered and the focus turns on getting rid of Kitty and Matt, the investigation has to pick up pace before more accidents happen.

A very charming cozy which I enjoyed very much.

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

The Housekeeper of Worthley Hall by Beverley Bowry

 

1828 Suffolk. A woman in precarious circumstances. Emma after giving loyal services at the Rectory is summarily dismissed when the new Rector takes over. The new rector under the thumb of his pretentious and overbearing mother sees Emma as a threat to her ambitions of getting her son married to someone of “quality”.  Emma does not suit.

Emma falls on her feet when she is offered a job as ladies maid cum assistant to a reluctant housekeeper at the nearest manor and it looked like things will settle down. It was not to be and a series of mishaps including a drunken episode by her brother and the disastrous robbery of Emma’s possessions including documents and jewellery by the Squires brother put paid to any stability for Emma. The final nail in the coffin is when the squire himself faces bankruptcy and eviction because of the fraud and robbery by his own brother. The manor is put up for auction.

The last bit is a fairy story and gives the happily ever after to this read. 

For readers who like to know what it is to live in the early 19th century in rural England, the lifestyle, the rather helpless position of women, the dominance of men - this is good descriptive reading.

Sent by The Book Guild for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly

 

Halloween or All Hallows Eve in Scotland is a time of festivity. Dr Emily recently retired, now finds herself in the midst of a murder enquiry, having discovered a body. There are a number of suspects, the problem is to whittle it down. Constable Ewans also the local laird will like Emily, Abigail, Jasper and 

Mara out of the investigation altogether, but that is not going to happen.

Like other readers, I couldn’t guess who the murderer was and this of course is the push one needs to continue reading. A very good cozy, set in descriptive surroundings with a very nice atmosphere as well.

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