Murder with Majesty by Amy Myers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the Spring of 1905 American heiress Getrude Pennyfather is all set to marry Lord of the Manor Arthur Montfoy at his estate of Farthing Court. A guest of the wedding will be Edward VII, and as the invited chef Auguste Didier.
Unfortunately all it not what it seems or who it seems and in consequence a murder is committed.
This brings Scotland Yard's Inspector Rose to Kent.
As this is actually Number 10 in the series there is some reference to previous stories but it can be read as a stand-alone.
It was an interesting story and I will probably want to read from the start of the series. Whether I get bored with the talk of French cuisine remains to be seen. Without them I would probably give the book 4 stars.
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Lost Girls by Celina Grace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Maudie Sampson was 10 years old her best friend Jessica disappeared when they were on holiday. Now in the present day Maudie needs to cope with the death of her father, and her increasing mental frailty, and the memories that haunt her. But who and what can she trust.


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The Clock Strikes Twelve by Patricia Wentworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

New year's Eve 1941 and the Paradine family and their relations are sitting around the dining table when the head of the family Mr James Paradine announcing that a crime has been committed and he knows that it was one of the family, and he wishes the guilty to admit this by midnight.
When James Parridine is murdered Miss Maud Silver in invited to try and solve the crime.
A nice intriguing mystery.

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Joy: A Kate Redman Short Story for Christmas by Celina Grace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's close to Christmas and Detective Sergeant Kate Redman investigates the disappearance of a child, but what does the investigation expose.
A nice little mystery

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Dirty Martini by J.A. Konrath
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Chicago The Chemist gas started his campaign - tampering with the food in various outlets - putting poisons into the foods. It's up to Chicago police Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels and her team to track down the killer.
A fast paced and enjoyable mystery with some laughs.

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Found, Near Water by Katherine Hayton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Rena Sutherland wakes from a coma she insists that her daughter was also in the car, when they had an accident and caused her into a coma. Christine Emmett, a victim support officer is assigned to her case and she and the police try to unravel the truth.
But beneath this there is the stories of Christine's support group, what tragedies will they reveal.
Took a while to get into the story but it was worth it.

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Whiskey Rebellion by Liliana Hart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Addison Holmes, a high school history teacher, because she needs the extra money decides to become a stripper. But she only lasts for one routine before a murder occurs at her workplace. Fortunately her best friend runs a detective agency and she is employed doing surveillance work.
I did find some funny moments (but also a couple of places needed a better editor) but there were times when Addison's life was just too chaotic, she never seems to think about the consequences of her actions, and maybe there were too many times that her body would hit some object.
But overall I found it an enjoyable story helped by the detective Nick Dempsey, so I shall probably try the next in the series.

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Murder in Capital Letters: A Crampton of the Chronicle novella by Peter Bartram
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's July 1962 and Colin Crampton is shown a 'valuable letter' - a Royal love letter dated 17 April 1788 - which he straightaway knows is a forgery. He is asked by the owner to try and get his money from 'Freddie the Forger'. When Colin arrives at Freddie's business he finds him dead. The line of suspects seems never-ending.
An enjoyable tale.

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Three's A Crowd by Mary Lydon Simonsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Detective Sergeant Patrick Shea, based in Hampden, London is hoping soon to be placed at New Scotland Yard. But can his personal life interfere with that as he continues to catch criminals, some interesting secondary characters keep the story moving.
Shall watch out to see how the series develops.

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All Eyes on Me by Linsey Lanier
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Private Investigators Wade Parker and Miranda Steele are employed by the Las Vegas P.D. to investigate the death of a singer.
A fairly decent mystery though I was not particularly enamoured of the main characters.

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Flesh and Coin by Craig Saunders
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Old Oak Hospice, home of the dying, which includes Charlie Dawes. While Cathy Redman is his only hope, his nurse and friend. But the Shadowman starts to visit and add to this a detective, an evil nurse, and Gypsy forklore, all may be explained or not
A fairly good story

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Come, Bitter Poison by Monica Knightley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While attending a reception dinner the man sitting next to Maggie O’Flynn dies - poisoned. But this is not the last one, what is the connection between the deaths.
This one didn't catch my imagination unfortunately

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Miss Silver Deals With Death by Patricia Wentworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 1941, the one of the residents of Vandeleur House is being blackmailed, and cannot quite make up their mind to employ Miss Silver, but when a murder occurs Miss Silver moves in to determine from the many suspects who the murderer is.
An enjoyable read and a decent mystery.

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A Death to Remember by Roger Ormerod
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cliff Summers has finally been able to return to his home time after being brutally assaulted fifteen months previously. But his memory of that day has gone. A local garage owner, Tony Clayton, was convicted of the assault and now approaches Cliff for help in finding his wife and saying that he is innocent of the assault. The lost memories are the key and he must find out what and why it happened.
Interesting though at times it felt that the story was being dragged out.

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Desecration by J.F. Penn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book of a lawyer and heiress is found within the Royal College of Surgeons. Detective Sergeant Jamie Brooke is assigned to investigate and when she discovers a figurine on the body she is directed towards Blake Daniel, a psychic to help her solve the case. How depraved can human behaviour go, read and find out.
Strangely, an interesting read with characters I suspect will grow on me in further books

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Drained by E.H. Reinhard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ex homicide sergeant, now FBI, Hank Rawlings, and his partner Beth Harper are assigned to tracking and finding a serial killer who is now active in Chicago after a break of some years. The story gives quite a detailed account of the procedures and actions these agents do to try and find the killer.
I liked the characters and the story, and will look out for the next in the series

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Iced Malice by Marla Madison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Detective Kendall Halsrud and her new partner Detective Ross Alverson are investigating some missing persons when a body is discovered covered in snow at a door of a home - accident or murder. Are the missing persons connected to an old case known as the 'The Fiancé Murders'.
I didn't read the first in the series but I am not sure that I like Halsrud much, I will have to read another book to decide, but the story kept my interest.

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Land of Careful Shadows by Suzanne Chazin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When a young, female Hispanic body is found in a reservoir at Lake Holly, north of New York City homicide detective Jimmy Vega, is called in to help with the investigate.
Unfortunately I just couldn't connect with any of the characters, or care what happened to them, but I read to the end hoping it would grab me or that there would be a mystery. But no.
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A Harvest Passion by Emily Murdoch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leo Tyndale has returned to England after five years as a missionary in India to become a teacher in Sandercombe. It doesn't take him long to realise that he is not the only outsider in the town. His attraction to the other - a Miss Hestia Royce grows daily. The rumours surround Miss Royce for being jilted at the altar,
I really liked this story and the characters
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A June Wedding by Emily Murdoch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Victoria Walsingham, the daughter of a country doctor, loves and is loved in return by Isaac Quinn, a poor second son of the Duke of Daventry.
When unexpectedly Victoria's brother becomes the Earl of Cheshire, she and her mother spend a season in town ,only to receive an invitation to Isaac's wedding with a very wealthy Miss Hestia Royce.
With the wedding only a few days away can there be a happy ending for anyone.
A nicely paced regency romance which I really enjoyed, with some fine characetrs.
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A Valentine Secret by Emily Murdoch


Jonathan Brodie, is finally home from Oxford. The only son of Sir Roger and Lady Brodie of Maplebridge, where he meets during the cold January, the adopted daughter of the village florist, Penelope Dryden. But with the two people at the opposite ends of the social scales can the path of true love ever be smooth or will Jonathan ruin it for ever.
A sweet little regency romance.
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A Christmas Surprise: A Regency Romance by Emily Murdoch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Regency romance Lord Robert, the Viscount of Marchwood, is throwing his annual Christmas Ball in the Highlands of Scotland even though his financial position is a poor one. His daugher the Lady Audrey, who's coming out ball this is decides it will be a masked ball. This leads to her falling for a stranger. Can the discovery of who he is bring them together or will they be parted for ever.
A nice enjoyable novella, though not really long enough to give a depth to all the characters.
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Devil's Cove by R.C. Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A good Gothic of ghosts, demons, a haunted manor and pirates. The tale is set in 1880 England when Captain Devlin Limmerick arrives at the Devil Cove Manor, an estate he won in a bet. He is seeking revenge with he hopes the help of a blind medium - Grace. But evil is everywhere.
I really liked the setting, the style of writing, and of course the characters, especially Devlin.
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Casa Largo Mystery by Miranda Barnes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When Sam is made redundant and is betrayed by her boyfriend all on the same day, she is glad to eventually be offered a job at Casa Largo in the Algarve.
Didn't really care much for the characters and there didn't seem to be much of a mystery either, but it didn't take long to read.
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The Toast of the Town by Alice Chetwynd Ley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Regency romance Georgiana Eversley captivates every gentleman, but her heart remains untouched. But when the young Dr. John Graham seems unaffected by her charms she partakes of a wager, but will the wager backfire.
An enjoyable read with likable characters.
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Nemesis by Roger A. Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Detective Inspector Vinnie Palmer is assigned to a new case - when killer Daniel Moxley escapes from jail he is all out for revenge on all the people he considers to have wronged him. The story leads us from one revenge scene to the next. How many die before he can be caught, if he can. Its up to Palmer to stop him.
This is a easily read tale which I liked the style of, and a quick paced thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed.
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The Snakes and Ladders Murder by Roger Silverwood
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

In Bromersley, a teacher is murdered by snake bite, but what is the connection to the music box they find in the dead woman's room. Detective Inspector Michael Angel investigates.
Unfortunately I just didn't like the style of writing and consequently the characters. So the series is not for me.
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Spence in Petal Park by Michael Allen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Written in 1977 the book seems to reflect the views of that time. Detective Superintendent Spence is called in to investigate the death of Roger Parnell, a rich, young businessman and womaniser. Leading to many suspects.
We read about the detailed procedures that DS Spence believes will result in the arrest of the guilty party.
An interesting enough start to a series, but not a complicated story.
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Better Dead by John Bonett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

As Simon and Ronald inspect Ronalds's new house in Costa Brava, they discover the body of Ferdy, the host of Bar Xerxes is found dead.
As Ferdy was a blackmailer there are quite a few suspects, and their secrets must be exposed to determine the killer.
Unfortunately I really didn't care much for the characters and so not that interested in the guilty party, but at least it was a quick read.
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For Her Sins by Maynard Sims
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's December 1959 Hertfordshire and DCI Callum is call out to an orphanage to investigate the brutal killing of a novice nun. When his main suspect is killed next, Callum has to re-think the motive. In the days before the modern technologies, Callum and his team have to reply on their investigative skills and unfortunately the prejudices of the day.
An interesting read with decent characters, and thankfully I did not work out who the murderer was.
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An Evil Kindling by Robyn Sheffield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Helenborough, ten years after a fire killed two females, another body is found after a fire in the same street. And what of the mummified body also found. Does the last owner of that house, Jacob Bisset, have any connection to the crimes.
Detective Superintendent Mike Hallow and his team investigate.
Like the plot and the characters in this story and look forward to the next book set in this area.
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The Sculthorpe Murder by Karen Charlton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

February 1810, and Lavender and Woods have been dispatched to Middleton Northants to investigate the death of a man William Sculthorpe who is believed to have been murdered by the notorious Panther Gang.
But they soon discover there is more of a mystery to the death then they thought, secrets start to be uncovered.
Hoping that the romantic aspects of the series are kept to a minimum as in this book.
Very enjoyable and interesting tale, and I am really liking these two Bow Street officers.
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Big Sick Heart by Mike Markel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Detective Karen Seagate and her new partner Ryan Miner are assigned security detail at a stem cell research debate. Not long after they leave the debaters at their hotel one of them is dead.
As the case progresses Seagate's life gets more complicated. Not just with her ex and her son, but lying suspects, political pressure and police procedures and more importantly her drink problem.
An enjoyable and interesting read.

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The Chinese Shawl by Patricia Wentworth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Laura Fane became of age, she is invited by her relations to visit the Priory, the home she rents out to them. Invited so that she can be persuaded by her cousin Agnes to sell the Priory, so Agnes can leave it to a relation Tanis Lyle. But Tanis has many enemies, most women hated her while the men found her irresistible. Of course Miss Silver is already a guest at the Priory on a different case.
A decent mystery set during WW2 with Miss Silver more involved.

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Herald of Joy by Pamela Belle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's 1651 and the story of the St Barbe family of Somerset continues. I found on reading this that I didn't have to have read the first volume of the trilogy as the story starts six years later with Silence's husband George St Barbe near death. He continues to manipulate his famity with a few last minute changes to his will.
And Charles Stuart is on the march from Scotland with the Cavalier Captain Nick Hellier.
I enjoyed the story, and the style of writing and liked the characters. I will need to look out for Book 1 and 3 of the trilogy.
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A Rose Before Dying by Amy Corwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With very little involvement of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency it is left to Lord Castlemoor to find the evidence that his uncle - Sir Edward - did not kill his lady friend - Lady Banks. It would seem a game is being played out with the arrival of roses just before a murder occurs. How many more roses will be sent until the guilty culprit is discovered.
Enjoyed the story and like the characters, wondering now with the third in the series whether there will be more of the Inquiry Agency or a lone detective.




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Killer on the Fens by Joy Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another good, complex and interesting story. DI Nikki Galena is compelled to fulfill her father's dying wish but then a dying drug dealer is found on a haunted abandoned WW2 airfield, but more is to come.
A very good story and likable characters. I have enjoyed this series immensely.
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The Piccadilly Pickpocket: A Detective Lavender Short Story by Karen Charlton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A short story set in Regency England, and a dwarf has just stolen the Prince Regents' special pocket watch. But it's Constable Woods who is blamed for letting the thief get away. Its up to Lavender and the rest of the Bow Street Runners to find the watch and the thief.
An entertaining story.

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Deadly Crossroads by Daniel Bjork
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1852 Concord Massachusetts Doctor Josiah Bartlett is called out to the potential suicide of Mary Chase. Later he has his suspicions and starts to investigate the shadowy figure that he sees as Mary's character, slowly discovering the person she was and who killed her.
This is a story that slowly unravels, and drew me in, with some good descriptions of the characters with a good tale.
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Bloody Mary by J.A. Konrath
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is there a serial killer roaming around Chicago. Lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels investigates and finds personal items of hers' located on the body parts that turn up.
Add to her life a killer cat, an ill mother, a boyfriend, an ex-husband arriving and, a partner in the middle of a mid-life crisis. Jack is not having a good time.
A good and well-written story.


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Alas, She Drowned by Monica Knightley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the faux-English village of Stratford-upon-Avondale, Maggie O’Flynn owner of a tea shop investigates the killing of a theatre critic during the town's Shakespeare Festival.
It was an interesting enough read though I did work out who the killer was before the end.

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The Mystery of the Skelton Diamonds: A Detective Lavender Short Story by Karen Charlton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Regency based short story Lady Skelton while travelling in her coach finds that her diamonds have been stolen. A box which she has the only key. Detective Lavender and Constable Woods are asked to solve the case.
An enjoyable and quick read with likeable characters.

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Daddy Soda by Mira Gibson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After getting a phone call from her half sister Mary, Hannah Cole discovers that their mother has been missing for a month. She decides to spend back at her old home to determine what has been done to find her mother.
Really didn't care for the characters unfortunately, which resulted in not really caring what happened to them.

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Deadly Pursuits by Robyn Sheffield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abbots Hill Police department are investigating two separate incidents - DCI Roy Kennet is investigating the stealing of military memorabilia which is then left outside the doors of newspaper offices - while DCI Liz Ireton has to discover who is attacking students in the grounds of the local university. Both report to Detective Superintendent Mike Hallows.
I really enjoyed the story and liked the characters that were portrayed in the book and the style of writing.
I hope that there will be more books about these characters.
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Private View by Meg Elizabeth Atkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

DCI Sheldon Hunter investigates the death of an art galley owner but is unable to determine the guilty person. The story wanders around in the middle and covers the next four years, of the lives of the Saddler family, until another body is found. The Hunter starts to investigate the first murder again, but can it be solved.

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Samuel Pepys and the Stolen Diary by M. J. Lee
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Unfortunately for Samuel Pepys, his house is burgled and his diary containing his indiscreet thoughts is stolen. On finding the thief dead he starts to follow the trail to the mastermind of the theft. At the same time and possibly connected he is ordered by King Charles II to investigate the state of the docks and the Navy at Chatham.
Unfortunately an obvious clue is given who is behind all of this, which did distract from the story, and I found I could not really engage with the characters or the plot.
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The Five Matchboxes by John Russell Fearn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Detective Inspector Garth is faced with solving the death of a stockbroker - Granville Collins - inside a locked room. Just as predicted by a note sent to the police. (This book was first published in 1948.)
An interesting tale as Garth solves the case bit by bit.

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Sufficient Encouragement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth overhears that Darcy admires her eyes, so she uses this information to ensure the growing attachment between Jane and Bingley by being amiable to Darcy. We also have the constant scheming of Wickham.
Misunderstandings obviously occur, but can there really be a happy ending for any of the characters. This is the story of Darcy and Elizabeth, which I enjoyed. Also of interest were the new characters introduced in this tale.

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Candidate for Murder by Lauren Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Police Chief David O’Callaghan and Dallas Walker's dinner had been eaten by their dogs they end up at the Spencer Inn, where the candidates for Mayor of Spencer are debating. Then the Butterfly Effect takes over starting with a fight, a new candidate, the revealing of corruption, and then murders. Reaching further afield than Spencer, and do we find out why Gnarly was dishonourable discharged from the army. All the gang get together to solve these mysteries.
A really enjoyable read, and a welcome back to the likable characters.


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When a Lady Deceives by Tara Kingston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Victorian London, Jennie Quinn, a reporter is working undercover at an Inn as part of her determination to discover who murdered her informer..
Former Police Inspector Matthew Colton, now a member of a notorious criminal gang crosses her path. But what is the connection between the gang, the death of her informer and the further deaths of other females..
I enjoyed the story a lot and liked the portrayal of the characters. I also liked the style of the writing and I am hoping there will be more stories with these characters. A romantic mystery, with not too much romance thankfully.
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