Palace of Justice by Susanne Alleyn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

October 1793 Paris and the first decapitated body is found. An police agent Ravel is instructed to quietly determine the murderer. Difficult when there seems to be no pattern to the killings. And with the backdrop of the continuing revolution, regicide, and the mass guillotining of people for minor crimes.
Immensely satisfying read (and in places sad), with characters wonderfully drawn out.

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Death in Disguise by Alison Joseph
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In 1920's Agatha Christie is now divorced and living in London where she is invited by an old friend Patrick Standbridge to a variety show where during the show a body of one of the artists is found. Will this be a start of a murder spree, what was the motive. Is the murder to clever for their own good. Her musings about her own writing lead her to investigate.
An entertaining mystery with a writing style that I liked.
A NetGalley Book

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Harrington Manor by Ronald M. James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1920's California the sons of Colonel Harrington have become increasingly desperate to take over his organisation so that it can be sold and they can live like gentlemen. Then the Colonel is found dead. It's up to Detective Snipes to determine the guilty party(s).
Didn't really care much for the writing style, it didn't really flow for me, or any of the characters, the mystery itself was okay, but I didn't really care who did it.
A NetGalley Book

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Murder Will Out by Alison Joseph
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1920's and Agatha Christie has settled in the English countryside with her family writing her next book. When she is pulled into a murder at the vicarage - Cecil Coates, a young man has been poisoned. Due to her successful writing her friends believe she can solve the mystery. But can she before another murder takes place and also unravel the secrets that the village is hiding
As a first book in a series it was entertaining, whether there will be more character development I wait and see; or whether Christie will move away where multiple murders is more plausible. than a small village.

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Knowledge of Sins Past by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the early nineteenth century Charles Murray is now the secretary to Lord Scoggie, and tutor to his two young sons at Scoggie Castle in Fife.
The scenes are set and the story unfolded quite a way into the book before the first death, where we have a parish divided into farmers and fishermen who dislike each other, and into this mix comes the war hero Major Keynes. How many secrets can be discovered,
A lovely tale with well-rounded characters.

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The Lammas Curse by Anna Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Scotland, 1899 the Lammermoor Golf Course is holding a tournament but when 3 bodies have been found the Countess takes an interest. Soon she and Dr. Watson are on there way north. But these are not the last of the deaths and what is the real motive behind them. Carrying on straight from the first story in the series, I enjoyed this one as well. Getting to like the Countess and Watson is a solid character behind her.

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Money Ain't Nothing by Jason Blacker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An enjoyable short story introduction to detective Anthony Carrick who is employed by Mrs Marlene Greenlaub to look into the death of her 19 year old son.
Shall need to investigate the next in the series.

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A Summer in Brighton by Jann Rowland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story starts just before the militia are to leave Meryton, when Mrs Forster invites are close friend to come and stay with her at Brighton. And so starts Elizabeth Bennet's holiday. Where she makes friends and an enemy, and has her happy ending.
An enjoyable tale with the usual characters.

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No Such Thing As Luck: A North and South Variation by Nicole Clarkston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Margaret Hale and John Thornton due to various circumstances arrive at the London docks ready to depart for Spain. Due to an accident on the docks Margaret is injured and Thornton decides to offer her his protection as her 'brother'. Leading to various problems on the ship and later when they arrive in Spain.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, and expect to read the book in the future.

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A Murderous Affair by Jonathan Digby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

November 1588 and the body of a Portuguese nobleman Don Alphonos de Sousa. With evidence pointing to Sir Robert Rokesby, he charges his illegitimate brother John Lovat to investigate. Lovat is also persuaded to this endeavour by Sir Francis Walsingham.
Matters can only get more complicated as we have mystery and suspense, with a very likeable character in Lovat, and an enjoyable tale and a good writing style.
Hoping there is more to come

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The Queer Feet: A Father Brown Mystery by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Or how Father Brown solves a crime by listening and interpreting a set of footsteps. As the Vernon Hotel hosts a dinner for The Twelve True Fishermen, a crime is committed, and then solved by Father Brown.
Though most of the story seemed to be leading up to the crime, it was an interesting enough tale.

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The Crown Spire - A Georgian Romance by Catherine Curzon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1795 and the coach containing the haughty Alice Ingram and her petulant and spoilt niece Elizabeth is just south of Edinburgh is attacked by highwaymen. Thankfully for them there are saved and brought to accommodation in a nearby Inn. Where their lives are once again changed.
An enjoyable tale but didn't really care for the niece much or her antics but that was part of the story.
A NetGalley Book

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Headhunter Reimagined by Michael Slade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There is a Headhunter killing women in Vancouver and so a special unit is set up by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to capture him.
I read the original book some time ago (which I still have), and thoroughly enjoyed that to the extent that I have read a few of the sequels, and it's to the book credit that it left such an impression on me that I remember exactly who the killer is and so I could read the book from the perspective and see if I could see any clues.
Enjoyed this version and it has reminded that there are so good sequels to read again.
Thank you NetGalley for this book



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Colonel Fitzwilliam's Dilemma by Wendy Soliman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Several weeks after the end of the last book the Darcys again have visitors to Pemberley including Lady Catherine who is determined that Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam will marry. Both have other ideas.
Thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and the style of writing. Looking forward to reading the next in the series

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The Unwanted Heiress by Amy Corwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In 1818 London, the Duke of Peckham is hounded by the ladies of the ton for his title. Then he is introduced to Charlotte Hayward, American heiress. This mystery cum a little romance involves several murders.
On the whole an enjoyable story but with some over-the-top moments - i.e. how to ladies constantly manage to hide in his bed chamber to be compromised when he has a house full of servants.

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The View From Where I Sit by darcysfriend
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This Pride and Prejudice novella variation begins after the Netherfield Ball where Mrs Bennet and Darcy meet in the morning, having a conversation that will change them and the future.
An enjoyable story and a likeable Mrs Bennet for a change

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The Girl in the Ice by Jason Vail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's now December 1262 and snowstorms are striking Ludlow making the going treacherous. On Christmas morning as everyone goes to Church Harry the beggar finds a body under the snow, along the church path.
No one recognises the body and deputy coroner Stephen Attebrook takes responsibility to determine the who and why, which leads into enemy territory and danger.
Some minor mistakes found, which seems not to be unusual in most books but I enjoyed the story and really like the characters

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Rumours & Recklessness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Nicole Clarkston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the morning after the Netherfield just when the Bingley party had intended to leave for London, Mr. Bennet is injured. Bingley and Darcy are asked to help the Bennet household, and not just because of the visit of Mr. Collins. But everything again changes when Collins offers for Elizabeth in public.
We also have the usual bad characters of Wickham, Caroline and Lady Catherine.
An enjoyable tale with the added benefit of the more involved characters of Miss Darcy and especially Colonel Fitzwilliam.

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Deadly Treasures by Vivian Conroy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's the 1920's and the murder investigations of Lady Callender and Jake Dubois continue, when Alkmeme is asked by family friends the Woolsbury to visit their son Duncan, who is on an archaeological dig. She arrives just as Duncan as being arrested for murder. Can she and Jake discover the real murderer and why.
This was an enjoyable read, and a decent mystery with a good interaction between the two main characters.
A NetGalley Book



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An Academic Death by J.M. Gregson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Several days of not seeing her husband, Matthew Upson, Elizabeth Upson reports him missing. As a lecturer at the local University, with an inherent drug problem there seems to be no shortage of suspects.
A decent mystery in the series.
A NetGalley Book.

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Get Me to the Grave On Time by D.E. Ireland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's August 1913 and friends of Professor Huggins and Eliza Doolittle have planned 4 weddings. The first is sixty-year-old Duchess of Carbrey who intends to marry an American half her age. Unfortunately a body is found in the vestry, and it is not the last. Is there a connection to the discovery of a ancient Indian temple years previously.
Sometimes I felt there was too much description of clothes the characters were wearing, not particularly interesting to me.
This is the first of the series that I have read and the mystery was an interesting one, and the characters were a likeable bunch so I expect I shall see about reading the first one.
A NetGalley Book

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Saving Grace by Wendy Soliman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's England 1851, plans are believed to be afoot to steal the Koh-i-Noor diamond on show at the Great Exhibition.
The Home Secretary has assigned to Jacob Morton, the Earl of Torbay, and his team the task of stopping the theft and discovering who is the mastermind behind it. But they had not taken into account Lady Eva Woodstock, the wife behind one of the plotters.
An entertaining story.

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Spence at Marlby Manor by Michael Derek Allen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The number of accidents that Lady Dennister suffers from become suspicious but are dismissed by her and her staff at Marlby Manor. But are there some people that wish her dead and they succeed as one morning someone is found dead, and Spence and Laurel are assigned to investigate if it is murder and then to find the motive and the murderer.
Another competent mystery in the series.
A NetGalley Book

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Death in a Scarlet Gown by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1802 and St. Andrews University, and the first of the murders occurs. But who from the seemingly long list is the real culprit. Charles Murray, a student, decides if the constable is not going to find the killer then he must while dealing with problems of his own.
I like the characters in this book, the mystery and the writing style. It makes it more interesting for me to read a book set in a place I know so well. Hoping the next in the series is as enjoyable.

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The Three Colonels: Jane Austen's Fighting Men by Jack Caldwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story of Jane Austen's Colonels - Fitzwilliam, Brandon and new character Buford. Telling the tale of their lives, courtships and marriages until Napoleon escapes Elba. Then to battle.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the writing style, the history and loved the characters, and finished wanting to read more. Can't wait for the next in the series

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La Contessa and the Marquis by Lindsay Downs
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Bianca Maria Ledford Goretti, La Contessa de Massa has fled back to England after the death of her husband and son, into the home of her godmother. Lord Rainer Cross, Marquis of Hathaway a rakehall, has met and learned of her situation and he has sworn to protect her from her scheming father.
A decent enough novella but the strange structure of some of the sentences would throw me out of the story.

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Mystery in the Channel: A British Library Crime Classic by Freeman Wills Crofts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A steamer, the Chichester, is crossing the English channel when it comes across a yacht in which they find the bodies of two dead men..
Inspector French investigates which leads him to uncover financial irregularities within a firm. Who out of all the suspects is the mastermind behind the scheme.
A very detailed accounts of the procedures which leads French to his conclusions, sometimes a bit too detailed, but an interesting mystery anyway.
A NetGalley Book

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An Unmourned Man by Issy Brooke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1845, Cambridgeshire, England and Cordelia, Lady Cornbrook is staying with the trustee of her estate Hugo Hawke of Wallerton Manor.
On visiting the local town she is drawn by the crowds to a house where a killing has occurred. With her trusted servants she decides to try and find the killer as a wager.
Though it took a while for Cordelia to start investigating I found the style of writing very easy to read, drawing you along, and the likable characters have formed a basis for the next book.

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The Baskerville Curse by Anna Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It has been ten years since Holmes solved the Baskerville case and now Sir Henry's wife has called upon Doctor Watson for help.
Are the following deaths, accidents or murder.
Some lovely twists in this good mystery with some interesting characters.
Look forward to next in the series

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Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Darcy's point of view of Pride and Prejudice, writing a diary of his thoughts and actions mainly in relation to Elizabeth Bennet. I have read other POV's which have included much more detail about his life but this was still an interesting and easy read.

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Service for Two by Kate Kingsbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's 1907 and the local doctor has died.Unfortunately on the morning of her funeral service his coffin is opened to find a different body inside, and Dr. McDuff's body is elsewhere. Is there any connection to a spate of jewel thefts in London to the Pennyfoot Hotel.
A decent mystery with some likeable characters.


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Mark of Caine Trilogy: Book Three: Revealed in the Mist by Catherine Lloyd
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The conclusion to the Caine trilogy. Certainly a enjoyable read, though at times I thought the story needed some more depth, but then they may not be Gothic stories.
Whether I read another will probably depend on my mood.

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A Dreadful Penance by Jason Vail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

November 1262, and Attebrook and Gilbert are sent to Clun to discover the murderer of a monk, during a time of unrest along the Marshes.
I like the characters in this series and enjoyed this tale and look forward to the next in the series.

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Mark of Caine Trilogy: Book Two: Whispers in the Shadows by Catherine Lloyd
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The adventures of Tanner Caine and Laura Mayhew continue as they try to solve the riddle of the missing child. Each cursed in their own way can there be a happy solution, only Part 3 will tell.
A very quick read, not really sure that it is a genre that will keep my interest for long.

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Tempt You to Accept Me: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Cassandra B. Leigh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Netherfield Ball has come and done, and Darcy with the Bingleys have returned to town. On the spur of the moment Darcy rides back to Longbourn to propose marriage to Elizabeth Bennet. He is rejected.
This is Darcy's point of view on how he can persuade Lizzy to marry him. Not a lot of angst in this version I didn't care much for Darcy singing, and would have probably liked more of the bad Wickham and Caroline, but just about enough interest.


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Murder at Cleeve Abbey by Anita Davison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this second book of Flora Maguire's adventures she has now been married to Bunny Harrington for over a year when she is told of the death of her father - butler at Cleeve Abbey. All she wants is to be sure that the death was accident as she starts to ask questions, but her dreams have come back to haunt her.
Some lovely characters and descriptions as the mysteries of the past and present unravel.
A NetGalley Book.


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Mark of Caine Trilogy: Book One: Hidden in the Shadows by Catherine Lloyd
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tanner Caine's mission given to him by Queen Victoria is to dispose of Laura Mayhew, a former lady in waiting to her daughter Louise. But plans go astray when they meet.
An interesting story which now continues in Part 2.

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The Melancholy Virgin by Annabel Laine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Earl of Moriston's secretary Francis Mervyn has been seeing a demi-rep by the name of Imogen Reece. Unfortunately for Mervyn she has been found dead, and her friend Miss Katherine Kenwood has employed Bow Street runner Townsend to investigate. Moriston must determine who the killer is before Townsend arrests Mervyn.
An enjoyable Regency mystery with a hint of romance, with likable characters. Unfortunately I believe there are only two in the series.
A NetGalley Book.

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Fearless by Nicola Claire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1891 and death comes to the streets of Auckland. Can Inspector Andrew Kelly and Anna Cassidy (trained but not qualified as a doctor by her father, the former Chief Surgeon for the Auckland Police Force) determine who the murderer is before he strikes again.
The tale is told from the view point of Cassidy and Kelly, the romance is between these two but thankfully the book was more of a mystery.
Really enjoyed this book and the characters so I am hoping there will be another, and another in this series.

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The Trouble to Check Her: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Maria Grace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story continues with this second book in the Rosings series with the tale of Lydia. After her disgrace she is sent to Mrs. Drummond boarding school for basically fallen females. Can Lydia change and learn where she went wrong, can there ever be a happy ending for her.
I really enjoyed the story and the style of writing was a joy to read. Hoping there will be another in the series. Though I think I might have to go back and re-read the first book.

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A (Very) Public School Murder by Simon Parke
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When the headmaster of Stormhaven Towers is found dead, Inspector Tamsin Shah brings in Abbot Peter to help with her investigation having worked on cases previously. But this is only the first of the deaths.
I didn't particularly like the style of writing, and didn't really care for the two main characters, and the plot struggled to hold my attention.
I doubt I will read more in the series.
A NetGalley Book

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