An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 1934 and Josephine Tey is travelling from her home in Scotland and on the train she meets a fan of her new play.
But not long after the train arrives in London a murder occurs on the train. D.I. Penrose must decide if this has any connection to the play, or just a coincidence.

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The Fifth Heart by Dan Simmons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 1893 and Sherlock Holmes meets Henry James in Paris. Then travel together to the United States to solve the possible mystery of the death in 1885 of Clover Adams, one of the five hearts, and friend to James.
Very enjoyable read.
Received as a free copy from Goodreads

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Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas by Stephanie Barron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With Christmas in 1814 Jane Austen and her family are invited to join other visitors to stay at the The Vyne, the home of the political family Chute.
But one of the visitors is found dead.
Is it an accident or murder and why, and with the household snow-bound the suspect must be one of the guests.
Unfortunately I loved this book (received this 12th in series as a competition win) so now I am going to have to start buying them beginning with Book 1.

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One Murder More by Kris Calvin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Received a free copy in Goodreads giveaway.
A legislative aide is found dead by Maren Kanea, lobbyist, but when a working associate and friend is arrested she decides to investigate.
Found it at time too slow moving, with unnecessary descriptions of people clothes etc
Believe this is a first book so some tighter editing may appear in the next book. Look forward to reading the next one in the series.

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The Gods of HP Lovecraft by Martha Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A bit of a curate's egg, as anthologies often are, several of these tales feel as if the Lovecraft element was shoehorned in to make them fit the theme, and those stories feel less complete, and a bit out of place here as a result.

That said, there's a few gems to be had - Moore and Golden's pulpy Mi-Go story hit the spot perfectly, as did Maberry's Nightgaunts meet weird PI modern noir. Lansdale and Barron show off their own particular tics and flourishes to great effect too.

But the highlight for me was Adam Nevill's CALL THE NAME, which manages to be both epic in scale in time and space, yet claustrophobic in the horrors growing inside a woman's mind. The way it unfolds will stick with me for a while, and for me, that's what Lovecaft's monsters are all about.

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A Chance Meeting: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by E.A. Batten
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy and Elizabeth briefly meet in London when she is staying at the Gardiners. During a conversation with Darcy she urges him to act on his feelings and visit his sister in Ramsgate. Will this chance meeting change their future.

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Some Degree of Murder by Frank Zafiro
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Police Detective John Tower is assigned to investigate the death of a young woman, but there are very few clues. But is there a similarity to another death a few weeks previously.
While Virgil Kelly emerges from the criminal world to find the killer of his daughter.

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Aunt Bessie Believes by Diana Xarissa
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Cubbon or Aunt Bessie as she is known is not too upset when Moirrey Teare is found dead, until the death is deemed to be murder. Although many people disliked her what could be the motive.
Fairly easy to work out the murderer.

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Mid-Century Mayhem by Bella Street
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Because of various incidents Olivia Haugen and Kyle Daniels find themselves back in 1954

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Blackstone and the Heart of Darkness by Sally Spencer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Inspector Blackstone is sent north away from London to caught the sadistic killer of young girls who's mutilated bodies are found in several different counties.
Shall look for others in the series starting with the first tale.

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Maple Sugar Murder: Cozy Mystery Book 4 by Tom Soule


Oh dear!

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Time Release by Martin J. Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In Pittsburgh, 1986, products in a pharmacy have been tampered with resulting in several deaths.
Ten years later it starts again and Detective Downing knows that the guilty person is Ron Corbett. But how to prove it.

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Killing Me Softly by Bianca Sloane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On a cold Chicago January night Tracy Ellis went for a jog and her body was found several days later. But her sister Sondra can't find closure and seeks out what happened.

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Most Truly by Reina M. Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel we have the tale of Catherine Bennet and Colonel Fitzwilliam while they stay at Pemberley.
More stories are needed with the minor characters of Jane Austen

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Kiki Lowenstein and the Cupcake Caper by Joanna Campbell Slan


No capering involved.

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Not Romantic: A Pride and Prejudice Continuation; A Sweet Tea Short Story by Maria Grace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This Pride and Prejudice variation is from the viewpoint of Charlotte Lucas up to the offer from Mr. Collins.
An enjoyable quick read.

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Death By Honeymoon by Jaden Skye
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

As they honeymoon in Barbados, Cindy and Clint are happy until just before they leave Clint dies while surfing. Cindy cannot believe that this could happen to an expert surfer.


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Hunter/Prey by Sam Sisavath
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Allie Krycek has spent the last 10 years training, and tracking the killer - a serial killer - of her younger sister. Finally he has noticed her - but will her training be enough.

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Free Draw by Shelley Singer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Samson is asked to investigate the death of a business man when a son's friend is arrested for the murder. Moral of the story is never to run screaming when you find the body of a man you used to know and had an argument with and then lie to the police about it.

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Samson's Deal by Shelley Singer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jake Samson, ex-cop, living a laid back life is ask to investigate the death of a professor's wife.
An easy read but not difficult to determine the killer.

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Shifting Skin: Killing them wasn't enough by Chris Simms
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

D,I. Jon Spicer and his new partner, D.S. Rick Saville, based in Manchester, investigate the killing of women who have been partially skinned.

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The River Runs Dry: A Novel of the Butcher of Burgess by L.A. Shorter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the town of Burgess, near Death Valley a body is found, mutilated, and then another.

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The Murder Pit by Jeff Shelby
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Daisy Savage buys the old house she has always wanted and moves in with her new husband and their children. Only to discover a dead man in their crawl space when looking to unfreeze their water pipes.

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Uncertain Beginnings: a novella by Jamie Lee Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Sergeant Wyatt Burke finds a fellow police officer dead he is assigned to find the culprit.
But all is not what it seems in the town of Uncertain.

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Let Us Prey by Jamie Lee Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mimi Capurro, ex-Secret Service and owner if the Gotcha Detective Agency is hired to guard writer Lauren Silke, from further assaults from her unhappy fans.
All this changes when they fund the decapitated body of Lauren's assistant at her home laid out as a copy of a scene from her latest book.

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Rivals and Rascals by Maggie Page
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation who can win the love of Elizabeth Bennet. Will it be Darcy or the Colonel.

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The Fall by Annelie Wendeberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr. Anna Kronberg, believes she is safe until she is kidnapped and threatened to develop a germ warfare by Professor Moriarty.
As the days pass can she, in conscience, continue her work and what of Holmes.
Who now can stop the Professor

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The Mystery at Underwood House by Clara Benson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Philip Haynes caused mischief during his life and continued with his will when he died.
Who is killing off the siblings to gain their inheritance, Angela Marchmont is asked to investigate.

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Tropical Depression: A Billy Knight Thriller by Jeff Lindsay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Billy Knight , ex-LA cop, now living in Key West is visited by Roscoe McAuley to enlist his help in solving the murder of his son. Then McAuley is killed and Billy is off to L.A.

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Superbia by Bernard Schaffer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Police officer Frank O'Ryan is back at work after nearly recovering from being shot. Where he now works with Detective Ajax investigating 'real crimes'.
Gritty, 'enjoyable' not sure but would like to read more.

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Cliffhanger by Amy Saunders
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Belinda Kittridge, socialite, returns home and meets up with Bennett Tate, ex policeman, P.I. and now security expert to determine the connection between a death ten years ago and a present one.

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The Gauguin Connection by Estelle Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr Genevieve Lenard is an expert in non-verbal communication works for an insurance company. Where she is involved in a case of the murder of a young artist. Leading to stolen guns, art forgeries and some interesting characters.
Look forward to reading more.

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