The Memory of Her by Bianca M. Schwarz (Gentleman Spy Series)

The third in a series but does good as a stand alone. The scene is set in 1823 England but the story goes back in part to the Crimea where Allen has been a prisoner and severely tortured by a Russian general. Now spirited away to England, he is back in his home to recuperate and recover from the physical and mental torture he has undergone. Whether he will or not depends on the care and attention that he receives from not just his loyal servants but from Eliza's sharp intelligence as a spy to make sure that Allen is safe, not been followed or in any danger of being abducted again. When foreigners are discovered in the village Eliza knows that the whereabouts have been discovered and that an attack on Allen is only a matter of time. How to circumvent this, protect him, find out who the abductors are and more importantly who sent them is a matter of urgency. The story follows in a meticulous fashion how and when things happen and how they successfully beat back the attackers. This was a nice bit of recounting going back to the Crimea and then back to peacetime England. Sent by Central Avenue Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley. P S I have been late with reviews (once again). I went on a four day trip to Orissa, Eastern India. It was a break I had been wanting for sometime, and there never seemed to be a good moment. We are in turmoil as a country politically and economically. If I waited any longer it would never have got done. I am just glad I was able to visit.

Search by Michelle Huneven

This book was riveting. I could not put it down and was annoyed when I had to put it aside to attend to household chores! The story of a congregation looking for a minister to succeed the one who is retiring is told in the form of a committee and its hearings (and there are wonderful recipes and food to gloat over) whilst we go through with all the meetings that follow. The congregational search is in itself divided. There seems to be fairly well established rules for the entire process but very early on the group seems to be divided by young and old, conservative views and definitely more radical ones. My knowledge of church leaders if very narrow so it was an eye opener for me. Ministers using every trick in the book to keep a congregation happy. Theatrics, yoga, comparative religions, plenty of music of every kind, a few under hand tricks as well to get a Ministership (?) if thats what its called with a negotiation which would do a corporate proud to get the best deal. The book meandered chapter by chapter but it did not hide the passion of the church members to do what they feel is best for their church. Unfortunately many of the feelings clashed and most were intractable. Those who gave in gracefully "for the common good" felt cheated at the end that the result was not worth the sacrifice of principles and ethics. The story is an unusual one, and is a page turner. Sent by Penguin Group The Penguin Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

All The Lights above us by M B Henry

This was quite an arresting read. Five women across Europe all very different in age and occupation enact a very important day not just in their lives but in the world. The repercussions of this day echo in their own little world but also very much in the country in which the stories were set. June 6th 1944 was D Day not just for the Allied Forces. It was a disastrous day for Nazi Germany occupied France. The Nazis were determined to hold out and murder as many as they could before they gave up to the Allies and these five stories told in alternating chapters effectively describe what took place on both sides of the divide. From the Resistance worker Flora to Adelaide who just kept her head down, boarded young German men and who could be viewed as a collaborator but who wasnt, she was just a survivor. Then we have Midge the young American who bound herself with Nazi Max and would always be thought of as a traitor, Theda the young English nurse trainee whose sights unlike those of her colleagues was set on a career and not just enticing a young man into marriage and Emilia the young German woman who is seeking to escape one German prison of Lebensborn for a career with a Nazi high up, hoping one day she can escape it all. The book covers not just the work and lives of five very different women, but the effort of meticulous planning and implementation for the success of 6th June. The carnage, the destruction that preceeded it and that which followed it was brutal but matter of fact. As usual a WWII book from so many different perspectives, and a very good account of history. Sent by Alcove Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

And By Fire by Evie Hawtrey

I got a mini history lesson reading this book. London is divided into two - the Metropolitan London and then the old City of London established by the Romans (?) and governed by the London Police Force. Nigella Parker is the Detective on the scene when a charred body is found beside one of the famed Wren monuments. Closer inspection reveals that it is a sculpture made of wood and Nigella realises that they are dealing with a person who will increase the tension of the case becoming more and more daring till he actually starts burning bodies. She is not far wrong and the cases escalate. No clues left behind other than the fact that the person is an artist of high skills and little by little it points out that he has a hatred of anything that Wren built. Detectives have to go back in history to the 17th century - to the Great Fire of London and its widespread destruction with the huge loss of life and then to the rebuilding of it under the supervision of Wren and this is where the first clues emerge. Spanning the centuries, the story is similar and parallels are drawn. The present day murders however have to be solved as quickly as possible since the escalation begins at a rapid pace. Very unusual story in a beautiful backdrop. Sent by Crooked Lane Books for a unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The French House by Jacquie Bloese

Set in the island of Guernsey the story of two people whose lives were entwined innocently enough, who got separated due to the war and parental pressure and then who lived miserable lives during the course of the war under untold hardship. Nazi occupied Guernsey was no fun. Emile returned from the war stone deaf - his hearing impaired by an accident. Isabelle is now the housekeeper of The French House and married to a bully who watches her every move, with the intention of hurting her either mentally or physically. Emile is married to Letty who is bitter and angry because she knows her husband has never loved her and despite him taking over and being a father to another man's daughter - she is not charitable enough to overlook that for his other failing of not caring for her. Loyalties are tested, old enmities surface and lives are at risk with the all seeing Nazi always trying to find a spy in their midst. The story was intense, plenty of very good history in the story and very vivid descriptions. Sent by Hodder & Stoughton for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley

A Plot Most Perilous (A Cassie Gwyne Mystery No. 2) by Genevieve Essig

America 1883 and Cassie feels that she is finally home with her Aunt and beloved cat. A travelling theater comes into town and Cassie takes on a role there as well. She loves the theater life and is in her element but then death strikes a blow. Lots of clues, accidents that just happen and Cassie is all out to solve the mystery as she feels the police are not really doing very much. Whether she will be able to solve it all before the show goes on the boards is the question. And will someone try to prevent her from doing so. The confusion comes in the form of too many characters to follow so that one can get a mixed up. The cozy part of the mystery is fine though. Sent by Bookouture for a unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Hidden Gem. The Secret of St. Augustine by M S Spencer

A 100 year old treasure and treasure hunts have been going on for the last few decades trying to uncover the riddle. Barnaby meets Philo - two more unlikely opposites but there is a spark of attraction and the focus is on solving this puzzle. There is a whole host of characters and several strands from romance to mystery, to cross confusing directions and lots besides. It got a bit difficult to follow the several strands though it did come together in the end. A good mystery. Sent by The Wild Rose Press Inc for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley. Reading fallen far behind, reviews dropping back as well. Hoping to get four reviews done in one go today so at least I am upto date. The country situation is still very dicey. We hear of huge large scale corruption - the magnitude of which is so big it is unimaginable that just a single family could swindle so much. I only hope we could get a percentage of it back. Doubtful but I hope so.