Murder on the Prince Regent by Irina Shapiro

 

Gemma and Sebastian are a couple who work very well together despite the constraints of women working in the medical field. Gemma longs to be a surgeon but knows it is a dream and Sebastian wants to make Gemma his wife but is held back by economic restraints.

Now working on the horrific murder of a member of the British aristocracy, the Lord’s wife missing and a ships captain just wanting to close the case and dock in London, Inspector Sebastian and Gemma have to work against the clock to find the murderer who is on board because once they dock, the chances of catching the man responsible for now two murders is remote.

The story was not just of detection. It highlighted the difficulties in the medical field, the work of the coroner who had to hide the fact that Gemma ably assisted him. If discovered all his students would leave and he would find himself destitute. It was appalling the level that women were held, almost chattels who had to follow blindly orders given by the male members of society. And this was 1859. Gemma herself was very poor and if not for Sebastian, her future looked so bleak. Losing a job without a reference was equivalent to suicide as in the case of the two maids of the murdered Lord. The lifestyle, the differences of class very well highlighted in the story. 

Sent by Storm Publishing courtesy of Netgalley.

Murder most British by Helena Dixon

 

London 1941 Miss Jane Treen working as a nondescript secretary for the government, flying under the radar has a very keen mind and a skill at detecting. Along with Arthur whom she treats at times with disdain are set to find out who murdered Tabitha who was on her way with vital information. The murder covered by a raid where Tabitha’s body was hidden, is the beginning of finding out who and where the mole is, especially when another is murdered and Jane and Arthur find themselves in the cross hairs of the murderer.

Apart from being an excellent detective/murder mystery, I find wartime Britain lifestyles fascinating. This is part of history and makes for very good reading. Attitudes towards women still have a way to go, it is not fair or equal or acceptable. 

The book was sent by Bookouture for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley. Many thanks.

Murder at the wedding by Anita Dawson

 

You really don’t want to find the vicar missing minutes before you walk down the aisle. This was what happened and to add to the chaos, the bride found the vicar murdered in a mausoleum in the church premises.

What follows is a story of what looks like a pretty ordinary vicar hiding a bucket load of secrets, very interesting characters in the form of Hannah and her Aunt Violet and a story that was extremely interesting. There were lifestyle descriptions which were fascinating considering that one was in the midst of war, and plenty of history thrown in for added interest.

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

The Chocolate Tin by Fiona McIntosh

 

1915 may be considered modern times but for Alexandra Frobisher it was a battle to do whatever her heart was set on doing. Her love of chocolate developed amongst families in York in the business was frowned upon, because daughters in her position did not have a career. Her mother only wanted her to marry, one of the suitable young men lined up, and produce the required number of children. For Alexandra who wanted to fall in love and then get married this was a tall order. 

Meeting Matthew Britten Jones was a compromise. He promised to allow her to pursue her dreams and did not expect a model wife. Alexandra felt comfortable with him and life moved on. Harry Blakeney a veteran of the war was on a mission. Discovering the body of a dead soldier with a box of the King’s Chocolate with him alongside with a note, he was determined to bring some closure to the dead soldiers family, bringing with him the soldiers medals and whatever could make the boys family happy. Meeting Alexandra on the tour was a catalyst for both. Alexandra realised what was missing from her marriage and Harry was hopelessly in love.

The story took an eventful turn when Matthew’s homosexuality was discovered and outed to the authorities by Matthew’s own father. That saga alone was horrific and took this story forward. A happy ending ensued for all the players but it was only because of their courage and tenacity.

Very good characterization, beautiful setting for the story and details of lifestyle and the way of life meticulously displayed.

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

Murder of Crows by Andrew James Greig

 

James Costorphine has just got married , returning to work his wife running a clinic close by. He was blissfully happy and has a lot to look forward to. When a complaint is lodged about two scarecrows going missing in this rural community followed by a body being found on the rail tracks, the dots cannot be linked until a patient escapes from a facility, the body is identified as a nurse at the facility and Shamila, James’s wife gets abducted along with a young patient.

To add to his misery James is taken off the case, but he and his partner despite orders from higher ups try to find out what are the links between the victims and James’s wife. Her fear of scarecrows is not known widely so the scarecrows being used in the murders is also part of the ritual. When the number of murders escalate and Samhain approaches with a massive bonfire, James knows that it is critical to find Shamila, as otherwise it will be too late.

The clues are all over the place, pointing all the detectives in the wrong direction, by a clever murderer who not only covers his tracks but finds the perfect victim to take the rap.

Convoluted but a good read.

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

In Deadly Fashion by Rosemary Simpson

 

I love this gilded era and 1891 personified that. For the rich and aristocratic it was a very comfortable, secure life. For the working classes not so. For women, there were rules and regulations galore. Heiress Prudence Mackenzie was never one to bow down to unnecessary demands and her engagement to ex Pinkerton detective Geoffrey Hunter has taken place and the wedding is in two weeks.

Prudence has taken a chance on a dress salon run by Madame Regina hitherto unknown for her wedding gown, but when her gown is found shredded to bits with blood all over it, alongside the body of one of the seamstresses, it seems the attack is a tad personal. And it is.

Uncovering a story of revenge by the twisted mind of a woman who thought she was scorned is dangerous for both Prudence and Geoffrey. Imprisoned and brutally beaten for an imaginary crime brings violence very close to the couple.

A very interesting story set in a very rich setting this was an excellent read.

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

Two Truths and a Murder by Colleen Cambridge

 

Early 20th century England setting, an old hall and Agatha Christie as a background, battling it out with Hercule Poirot. In the actuality, Phillida Bright housekeeper and sleuth extraordinaire, drawn like a magnet to dead bodies and mysteries, much to the annoyance of the local Inspector.

The dinner should have been straightforward, if not for the parlour game initiated by one of the sisters present. Genevra was a trouble maker, her sister was the mild one. The dinner party comprised of people from the village, all known to each other. At the end one of the party was dead, murdered and the suspect had to be one of the dinner party attendees.  With slow elimination of suspects, plenty of red herrings, more deaths, the pace hots up and Phillida discovers so many secrets and lies that have been cunningly concealed that it seems as if everyone is a suspect. 

The illicit relationship that Phillida has does spice up the story in a very surprising manner, not at all vulgar! A very pleasant read.

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