Murder at Ravens Gate by Louise Marley

 

Very character driven, one had to have a clear head to sort them out but the setting, eccentric but glorious as only an English village can, with quite a few gothic touches to add to the drama.

Two old ladies living in a decrepit Blackheath Hall, keeping out everyone, ghostly figures hell bent on murder and the local constabulary gets involved when a young man is discovered with a pike in his back. There are ghost tours conducted around Ravens Head and especially around the Gateway to the Dead where a battle took place, and many died though no bodies are there anymore.

The mystery builds up with a fair amount of twists and though this is one in a series I found it very interesting as a stand alone. I like stories about vintage old ladies too (I am getting there slowly but surely) and find these ladies maybe old and somewhat physically feeble but wily to be able to get what they want.

Altogether interesting reading.

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

The Cove by L J Ross

 

Gabrielle a young woman who on the surface has it all. Until a random person decides to turn her into a mental mess by pushing her off a platform into the path of an oncoming train. Her physical trauma is nothing to the mental that she subsequently undergoes, leading her to withdraw from her busy life to rural Cornwall to a job which is calm with no stress.

Cornwall was delightful and idyllic and the tiny cove cut off during high tides makes it the ideal hideaway until Gabrielle unexpectedly sees a murder being committed. Despite some scepticism from the local police who are aware of her syndromes, Gabrielle decides to pursue the few clues available about the missing girl, putting herself once more in the path of a ruthless murderer. When the man who was the platform killer is not convicted of Gabrielle’s near fatal accident, it adds another layer of mystery and subterfuge to find out who actually pushed Gabrielle.

The two attempted murders are the main story set amongst beautiful scenery which is descriptively detailed and could be used by their tourism ministry!

Sent by Sourcebooks for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

Death on the Norfolk Express by Ross Greenwood

 

Terry is ninety and frail. He loves the railways, the old fashioned steam locomotives, the camaraderie amongst the volunteers and he feels this is a fitting way to end his life. He didn’t expect to be smothered and left to die however.

Detective Ashley is trying very hard to survive a day at a time after hearing about her boy friends sudden death. Working on a case may be the way to go, especially when they are dealing with someone who is targeting the train network and people connected to the history of these tiny villages on the network. Old history does not fade with time and revenge killings even decades later seem to be the norm for this bloodthirsty gang of old men who do not want to let go past enmities.

The murders were real, and the actual workings of this railway line are very descriptive and interesting reading, even for a novice like me with no clue how it works. That enthusiasm and interest still is very much alive for these old workhorses is strange but good for business as well.

Thank you Boldwood Books for sending me a copy courtesy of Netgalley.

The Irish Daughter of Bew York by Kate Hewitt

 

1891 New York City, Maggie and her younger brother were two of the thousands of Irish immigrants, dreaming of a bright future in America. They were to meet up with their father, but their hopes were dashed when he never turned up and finding his tenement was hard enough but to find he’d absconded without a care for them was heart breaking.

Finding employment was difficult for someone new to New York but Maggie had big dreams and she was determined to get her step on the ladder. She did not think that her fourteen year old brother would get involved in a notorious gang that would eventually put an end to her life that was beginning to turn around, and force her to flee when she became a wanted woman.

The story was descriptive of a change in lifestyles of not just poor but the rich as well. Nouveau rich families like the Steins were beginning to be part of the rich and famous, and for them too social acceptance was a slog. Class divides were very much in existence and both sides did not like someone who did not keep to the rules of “knowing one’s place”. It was good reading of a bit of history of life in New York at tge end of the 19th century. 

I am looking forward to the sequel of Maggie’s life once she left New York.

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

The Fourth Queen by Nicola Cornick

 

The Tudors never cease to outrage and frighten at the same time. Henry VIII thought he was invincible and carried out anything he wanted to do, twisting and interpreting the law and religion the way he wanted. In this story Anna of Cleves, bested him, did something that could have changed the course of history with immense sacrifice to herself.

We also have the parallel story of Marris prioress of an abbey, losing it all in the Kings destruction of monasteries and abbeys. Overnight homeless, responsible for two younger sisters Will Sharington was an answer to a prayer when he took her under his wing. Marris became one of the ladies in waiting to Anne of Cleves whilst her husband Will was a lord with the King. When Anne was banished because Henry did not find her pleasing and he was enamoured with the sprightly Catherine Howard, Marris became a confidante of the ex Queen and held her most dangerous secret. Anne was pregnant and was terrified of the news getting out. The secret was kept forever and the baby boy was fostered with a trustworthy family.

The third part of the story is set in present times with three sisters being the reincarnation of Marris and her sisters and with the current excavation of the old priory and hall, the secrets of a five hundred years ago may be unearthed. To complicate matters two of the sisters believe they have found their former partners and navigating between the past and present is more tricky than the sisters realised because their younger sister who betrayed them then, will have no hesitation to do so again five hundred years later.

The story is exciting based on the true story of Anne of Cleves, the time slip adds another dimension to an already complicated story. Excellent reading.

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

Murder In Rome by T A Williams

 

Tamsin Goodfaith is a celebrity and she has approached Dan a former Detective from Scotland Yard, now running a private Detective agency and living in Italy with his very new wife,  because she is suspicious about the circumstances surrounding her uncle’s death. Uncle was a billionaire, there are three sõns and one daughter, but there are hidden tensions within the family.

Dan and his faithful hound Oscar are invited to the castle where the family is staying as a friend of Tamsins. When a second murder occurs, along with an attempted murder of another son and Dan as well, the local detectives have their hands full before the murderer eliminates the entire family. Suspects vary as the days go by but pinning the murder on someone with proof is not as easy as one would think.

The setting of the impressive castle was impressive, with a good dose of history, the excursions to Rome added further topics of interest and the food of Italy is tempting to say the least. 

A well balanced cozy with a very much closed doors mystery murder feel.

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

Junagarh Fort one of the few places with descriptive boards giving the history of these beautiful buildings.

In Bikaner, India.

A Murder in Marylebone by Emily Sullivan

 

The second book in the series involving Minerva Harper, recently come to England after her husband passed away in Corfu. Also in London is Mr Stephen Dorian who collaborated with Minerva and very successfully solved a murder mystery in Corfu. There is also unfinished business between Minerva and Stephen on a personal level.

Minerva has come to make peace with her parents and to settle her daughter in a prestigious girls school. Her intention is to return to Corfu, but life gets in the way. A couple of days in, she finds her younger sister Delia in the midst of a controversy, and the chief suspect in the murder of her lover. Minerva has to protect Delia, who confesses she is pregnant, and protect the reputation of the family. It doesn’t help that the murder victim Charles, was involved in nefarious smuggling and sale of antiquities, blackmail and to top it all was already married.

Stephen Dorian is very much part of the investigation, along with Minerva. He wants to protect Minerva who he feels does not know how dangerous it is to investigate this murder, which involves the aristocracy who will not hesitate to do anything in their power to protect their name and fortune. Stephen Dorian’s brother another Dorian is the detectives in charge of the case and the brother’s relationship is not a cordial one, adding to an already tense situation.

The story was a really good one and characters ( especially the two children with distinct personalities and interests of their own) were all interesting. I also liked the description of the way of life of upper middle class families at the turn of the 20th century and how the aristocracy still controlled society.

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

The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah

 

I am trying to read books that I have requested from Netgalley and have slipped through the cracks and I have got embarrassingly late to read and review. This is one of them and I apologise to the author and the publisher for the inordinate delay.

The story is confusion from the word go. Jemma confesses to her wanting to murder someone at the local police station, at the exact moment that the woman was murdered. It takes off from there. The Detectives do not know whether they are dealing with an eccentric woman or a cold blooded killer who thinks she has now developed a cast iron alibi.

A puzzle from the inception, we try to fit the crime to suspects, but that does not quite make it. There are many under currents of emotional, relationships which are skewed, no logic to arguments and the possible becomes unbelievable and one begins to think the implausible and ridiculous to be quite plausible. To the end, one questions each character so that the story remains tightly closed till the end.

This is a story one has to read slowly.

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

Hiding in Plain Sight by Marion Kummerow

 

A Roma girl, escaped the horrors of a Nazi camp, almost her entire family murdered, is now married to a Jew living in post Nazi Germany. Their living is precarious, the old antagonisms still exist but David and Roxi are happy. They all live with the scars of Nazi influence, and they do realise that Nazis live amongst them well disguised. 

Goslar was the commander of the camp Roxi was, and he was particularly cruel and erratic and would order the murder of anyone on the most flimsiest of excuses. A chance encounter, over hearing a voice startles Roxi into the pursuit of a man she believes to be Goslar, now even more dangerous than before, as he has somehow inveigled himself under the protection of the presently ruling British. He has just got a job in the civil government department of repatriation , where he is determined to do whatever he can to prevent the just return of confiscated property. Highlighting corruption in the occupation, antagonism and racism very much evident, poverty and the struggle to get by and one woman’s determination to get justice for her family is the basis of the story.

Like all stories set during the era, there is raw emotion and strong feelings that arise when one reads such books, but that cannot be helped. Very intense read.

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

A bay in Thailand. 2025 visit.

Who Knew The Ridpath Girl by Stacy Jones

 

Meander is a small town which saw the death of eleven year old Douggy under very strange circumstances. Confirmed as a suicide her brothers have thought that it was an excuse for a murder that was conveniently forgotten. The remaining children were again conveniently packed away to a grandmother who was very abusive (known by their mother Sheila) who has now made a brand new comfortable life for herself with a new husband and two children.

Gracen is an influencer, a you tuber who does podcasts and who has spoken of his sisters death in detail, with anonymous references to people surrounding the case. No effort needed to find out who handled and buried the details. It has now brought people out from hiding and worried that they will be found out. We have Katie,  Douggy’s closest buddy , now Quinn who is looking for Sheila to get a letter of support for the brother Kade, now in prison for the long term. Its complicated web of half truths, hidden secrets, abuse and a small town mentality. 

I had trouble at times following the various paths Quinn and Gracen took but the story itself is good reading.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this story, for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Reminiscent of Roman columns somehow, the Venugopalaswany temple in Mysore, India.

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.