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. 

One London Day by Chris Humphreys

 

Severin seems a simple families man. Accountant by profession, members of his local synagogue, keeping his head down. Keeping the books of a rogue group from M15 should have warned Severin not to play any kind of games with the ruthless five. 

Connecting random links starting with Joseph Severins hopeless infatuation for Lottie, who is in love with Patrick an a drug addicted actor, and a Russian escort Sonya who is desperately trying to make up funds needed for her daughters operation in whatever way she could. Joseph hiding the account books with Lottie, put her in direct danger and the killer Mr Phipps. A meticulous and clever killer Mr Phipps would never think he could be thwarted in his attempt to obtain the books but he was by the very savvy Sonya. Espionage was everywhere in the story, spies followed Mr Phipps and the five and the books were duly handed over to people who would follow the trail to mete out justice when they could.

Everything dovetails nicely, lots get killed, some escape (for the moment) ready to face another day. Some have a happy ending and you do cheer for them. Very entertaining read.

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

Looking at this picture nostalgic feelings of when I could go travelling again. Just have to wait.

Missing in St Ives by Deborah Fowler

 

Merril had recently moved back to St Ives, idyllic quiet life in Cornwall. Helping out pro bono for various cases she likes the slower pace of life. Her friend Jane, in the midst of a messy divorce asks her to have her 16 year old daughter for the holidays. Not her ideal way of spending her time, she does not want to add to her friends worries and Emily comes to Cornwall. Emily turns out to be grumpy and rude and on her second day disappears from the cottage.

Now Merlin has to face Emily’s parents and the local Police to uncover how an absolute newcomer to the area can be abducted and why. When a ransom order comes in Police realise that their suspects know Emily’s background, her home (in Bristol) and now they have to join the links. The detectives work is excellent, until the kidnapper is shot dead whilst picking up the ransom with the police unaware of where Emily is being held. The only clue from the recording, is the sound of a curlew, found only in specific parts of the vast isolated area of Cornwall.

Alongside this kidnapping, the story of Billy with minor misdemeanours to his name now caught threatening a shop keeper with a knife, totally out of character and now tight lipped with fear, as to who put him up to this. Peddling drugs to very young children, the tragic death of a toddler who consumed the drugs thinking it was candy, the subsequent suicide of a 17 year old who couldn’t live with the guilt of bringing home the drugs, and the round up of the gang responsible for bringing the drugs to Cornwall is the other part of the story. Merlin is the support for Billy throughout the case. I personally didn’t not think Billy’s story though a good one had a bearing on Emily’s story which was a kidnapping and a ransom gone wrong.

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

Murder at the Duomo by T A Williams

 

Oscar is the sidekick but a very important one. Uncovering clues at a vital part of an investigation and helping to push it forward is his specialty. We have his boss the retired English private investigator, who lives in idyllic Tuscany with Anna his partner. The other party is Commissario Virgilio who calls on Dan when an investigation involves the English.

This one was a puzzle. A crowded cathedral, the Duomo. Tristan Angel found murdered in a confessional with professional skill. Tristan, an extremely wealthy arms dealer, secretive and close lipped had come with a bunch of associates to his villa in Tuscany to fine tune business. Whom he was going to meet no one knew, and the investigation is hindered mainly by the lack of general knowledge of the inner dealings of this conglomerate. When a second murder by poison takes place within the villa itself the number of suspects is confined to the associates themselves, and then the third attempted murder which was not successful reconfirms. Now the painstaking background check starts and what links may have been missed.

With accounts of scenic Tuscany plus the mouth watering food, and the mystery murder is very much a page turner. The story held my interest throughout because once the initial suspects became themselves victims, it was not easy to find the actual murderer.

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

Round Up the Unusual Suspects by Elizabeth Crowens

 

A WWII background we have Babs and Guy in their next adventure of being private detectives on a film set. The set is chaotic, the figures are bigger than life, the producers and directors have enormous egos, uncontrollable tempers and three suspicious deaths occur. It is also the story where the two get married for convenience only.

There is the homosexuality theme and the fear of discovery, recruitment to the forces, and the biggest problem for Babs, the internment in camps of people of Japanese ancestry, now considered aliens and enemies of the state. Her attempts to hide Mr Otake are admirable but she is working flat out to solve a murder as well.

The story has a lot going on and keeping track of it all is not easy. It gives a good account of how studios worked in that time, and very little was orderly or pleasant.

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

Tag You’re It by Kerry Wilkinson

 

A reality show. Contestants from 18 to 80. Everyday one person is IT and has to tag someone with a phrase or get someone to do something. The prize money is big, and everyday with one game or the other, the money gets added to. The contestants come from a wide range of backgrounds and very quickly begin to develop small cliques with people whom they are comfortable with but the theme of Don’t Trust Anybody has to apply because almost all are focussed on winning.

When one of their number is found dead, the detectives have a problem of finding out who killed this contestant and why. Secrets so deeply concealed that no one can work out the links within some of the contestants. 

Surprising at every stage, this novel keeps you wanting to know what the end is like. Human nature with all its frailties displayed. A very good story.

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

The Case of the Murdered Muckraker by Rob Osler

 

Harriet is an intrepid private investigator. She is a lesbian keeping her secret closely guarded, this being Chicago at the turn of the twentieth century. Not the easiest time for a woman to be different, following a career that makes her distinctive. Not much help or support from colleagues which makes investigation, not just harder but lonely.

The story was a good one and all the characters stood out. Harriet had to work mainly alone, and this was an investigation with no holds barred, dealing with ruthless politicians who were extremely corrupt and who did not even think of Harriet as the opposition. That she had the grudging support of her boss was a good thing, because that did help.

Being gay and keeping it secret to the end was also hard because Harriet did feel that there were like minded people, but it was a topic that could not be spoken about. I do hope that we will have a sequel to this story. I’ll look forward to that.

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

The Three by Kelsey O’Brien

 

1791 England. Interesting times and we have people living dangerously on the edge.  Matthew is a skilled corset maker and his business is steadily on the rise. He came from nothing and has clawed himself up, setting up a business which is seen as successful. Though catering to the elite, he is still on the outside of society until he takes up with the aristocratic Henry with whom he falls in love. The danger of keeping a liaison like this secret is a must as it is a criminal offence. Matthew moves into Henry’s house as a private corset maker to Henry’s wife Elina so that the deception can continue.

So far the story is nothing untoward because society had many secrets swept under the Carpet, and ignored by polite society so that surfaces are not ruffled and secrets are kept hidden. Discovering that his lovers wife was well into revolutionary politics which she had kept carefully hidden was a surprise. Supporting her in her movement to popularise her ideas was not part of Matthew’s duties but he sympathised with Elina’s position in the household and then began his surreptitious life of helping Eliza without Henry’s knowledge.

The reckoning was coming and it did. It was sobering, difficult and emotional to process, but it was excellent reading.

The book was sent by Hera Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Shark House by Sara Ackerman

 

Set in Hawaii we have a story of a woman working in a man’s world (yes this is 1998) having to face a patronizing attitude because of her gender, despite being highly qualified for the job. A marine biologist by profession Minnow Gray on her subject of sharks, is at variance with the authorities on the islands. A few shark attacks, resulting in severe injury and a death are creating a pall over the tourist dependent islands. The powers that be would like to have a shark hunt and eliminate the threat, but Minnow knows that there is more to the attacks and does it warrant a hunt of these endangered mammals.

The story is very descriptive of the islands themselves, the myths and legends of the islanders themselves are brought into the story as a backdrop the reality of business and local politics. Striking a balance is not going to be easy and Minnow becomes a target because of her opposition to the hunt. This is a story about the natural world and the power of nature and things humans are still trying to understand. 

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

Beattie Cavendish and the Highland Hideaway by Mary-Jane Riley

 

My second read by this author and she did not disappoint.

Beattie is unassuming and her supposed role in the Civil Service is to improve efficiency amongst employees especially their typing skills. It seems like a good cover because Beattie is discreet, fearless and loves her job. She had to overcome obstacles from her family who just wanted her to be domesticated and married. Their knowledge of what she did was vague and she kept it at that.

Her present assignment to go to Kilbride, a remote Scottish outpost where something was awry. There was talk of double agents, people working for both sides, and on arrival a missing head of the unit, as well as a missing uncle, the very enigmatic Howard Cavendish.

Paddy Corrigan, a past conspirators with Beattie also works in this story, bringing mixed emotions to both of them. Their attraction to each other is deep, trust implicit but there are many barriers and this was sad.

The setting was bleak and descriptive providing just the amount of negativity needed as a background for the story that emerged. Spies, double dealings, mercenaries and trying to see the wood from the trees was Beattie’s instructions.

An excellent story with strong and weak characters which fitted their respective roles perfectly.

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

The Green Baize Door by Eleanor Birney

 

Marie’s grandmother works for a rich family as a housekeeper, earning their respect and kindness. Her son and grandson were avaricious, only looking for the wealth they thought she had accumulated over the years. Marie loved her grandmother for who she was and nothing else. When she was found brutally murdered, marie did not want to believe that her family were involved but the facts pointed to them having some kind of role in the murder.

When both her brother, father and her brothers closest friend were found to be suspects, Marie appealed to the family for help to get them out. James Lett was attracted to Marie and believed in her, though he had reservations about her kin.  The green baize door separated the masters from those who worked for them, and the demarcation was very definite. James and Marie had to work together to find the murderer and both had to keep within their boundaries. Class identity, the gap between the two were marked characteristics of the story. The grinding poverty prevalent amongst the working class was another sad commentary of the times. A feature of the story is also the effect of having a coloured ancestry and how it affected your entire life, from finding a job to finding a decent place to live. It did not matter that you appeared white, even the suspicion of being coloured was enough to blight your existence.

The book was a social commentary apart from the murder connotations. A good one.

Sent by Parlor & Dock Press, courtesy of Netgalley.

We were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda

 

A reunion. A celebration for an engagement party. A beautiful house in a fabulous setting almost a luxury hotel atmosphere. That was the setting. The animosity, the resentment, the patronizing attitudes were still there. Amidst it all the story of a girl who died in a similar house years before, not forgotten by any of them, compartmentalised into a small box hidden away till this weekend opens a Pandora’s box from which there is no escape.

Each of the women had an agenda. Each had secrets to hide. One of them was blackmailing one and had her sights set on another. One was very quiet and very much in the background. She was the one to watch. 

Not a single character was likeable. All rotten to the core but the story was a twisted tale which kept you wanting to read another chapter to know where it would go.

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

Mrs Hudson and the Spirits Curse by Martin Davies

 

I am  Sherlock fan so any link to them draws my eye. This did not disappoint.

Sherlock and Watson are setting up house and there are new characters - Mrs Hudson and Flotsam. Both are “characters” in every sense of the word. Mrs Hudson inscrutable, hidden talents, contacts with everyone and Flottie under her watchful eye being trained and educated for higher things. This was a story in itself.

The mystery had many twists including spirits (debunked by both Holmes and Watsonville), though quite plausible at the beginning. Murders galore and detection of the usual sort by the pair, at times bested by Mrs Hudson.

My first introduction to the lady and I hope I get to many more.

Very much enjoyed this read.

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

A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander

 

Annie has opened her detective agency, after successfully launching her bookshop. Now she awaits her first client. In a small village she expected to have to deal with missing cats, unfaithful husbands and cases of vandalism. Her first enquiry was an eye opener - someone who thought her partner could be Agatha Christie s own son and brought stuff to support her claim. The other, an elderly lady brought in a full scale murder enquiry with lots of arguments to support her case.

Kelly had been June’s friend and despite being very young had befriended June or that was the story. June despite local police ruling it a death by accident, (Kelly was found drowned in a bath tub), June was suspicious of the boy friend, Kelly’s surfing coach and also the girl who shared the flat. 

Initial investigations supported Annie’s suspicions that everything was not what it seemed and the local police got involved again. What followed was a plethora of crimes, and several suspects. The actual murderer was able to hoodwink two sharp detectives and the local police force almost to the end.

Excellent detective work.

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