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Tuesday 31 January 2017

Swiss Vendetta (Agnes Luthi Mysteries #1)Swiss Vendetta by Tracee de Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As the 'storm of the century' is approaching Lausanne Detective Agnes Luthi is called out to a suspicious death at Chateau Vallotton. The dead female has worked at an auction house in London and has been working at the chateau to create an inventory of the art collection. Because of the storm, Agnes can only rely on the people who are present to help solve the case, and to try to come to terms with her recent husbands' death.
I really enjoyed this, a good mystery with subplots and a good range of characters, and well written. Look forward to reading the next in the series.
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Monday 30 January 2017

Murder at the Lodge (Inspector Peach Series Book 7)Murder at the Lodge by J.M. Gregson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

DI Percy Peach and DS Lucy Blake are called out to investigate a killing. A killing at an Inn hosting the Masonic Lodge Ladies’ night. Finding out about the dead man's personal life results in quite a few suspects. Can that vital clue to point out the murderer be found.
An interesting mystery with an easy writing style.
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Sunday 29 January 2017

Of Fortune's Reversal: A Pride and Prejudice VariationOf Fortune's Reversal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Don Jacobson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With this variation Mr. Bennet died on the day that Jane received her invitation from Caroline Bingley to come to dine at Netherfield. Consequently the fortunes of the Bennet daughters has changed. This is Kitty's story starting several years later as she works as a governess. Could there still be a happy ending for all the daughters
A quite delightful story of a changed Kitty.

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Lady Delphinia's DeceptionLady Delphinia's Deception by Karen Frisch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A carriage accident results in Captain Nicholas Hainsworth and his party arriving in the middle of a storm at the home - Briarcombe - of Lady Delphinia Marlowe. Unfortunately for Lady Marlowe, the Captain becomes suspicious of her activities. What is her secret and why is she hiding it from everyone. And what is the hold that Percy Wainwright has over her.
An enjoyable story with a mixture of romance and mystery, with some interesting characters.
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Saturday 28 January 2017

Sherlock Holmes and the Eisendorf EnigmaSherlock Holmes and the Eisendorf Enigma by Larry Millett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In 1920 Holmes is visiting the Mayo Clinic in the States for confirmation of his illness. While staying at a local hotel under an assumed name he receives a note,which brings back memories of his failure to capture 28 years earlier The Monster of Munich. The note leads him to the nearby town of Eisendorf. Can Holmes finally catch The Monster.
The story kept my interest with all these strange people living in the small town. Though Watson doesn't make an appearance until near the end. He was missed.
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Friday 27 January 2017

Pride and Prejudice: Mary's StoryPride and Prejudice: Mary's Story by Jeanne Desautel Foster
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story of Pride and Prejudice from Mary Bennet's point of view. Although there were new characters added to this story there was still a fair amount of the original in the text which was why I didn't give it 4 stars. But I still enjoyed the longer story and Mary's character.

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Mrs Hudson and the Spirits' Curse (A Sherlock Holmes & Mrs Hudson Mystery #1)Mrs Hudson and the Spirits' Curse by Martin Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One evening Nathaniel Moran visits Holmes and Watson with a tale of malignant curses, vindictive spirits, and murders starting in Sumatra but now they have followed him to London and he needs their help.
But while Holmes investigates the bizarre, it is the housekeeper Mrs Hudson and the maid Flotsam, while studying the commonplace, who solve the mystery.
An interesting story which kept me entertained.

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Thursday 26 January 2017

Chorus of the Dead (A Peter Ainsley Mystery)Chorus of the Dead by Tracy L. Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

November 1867, London - and Dr. Peter Ainsley is asked to visit Picklow, in Norfolk to help a Dr. Bennett to explain the death of Josephine Lloyd, and help in the diagnosis of another daughter Lillian. Can Ainsley stop the deaths and who is the guilty party.
An entertaining tale with some interesting characters which I look forward to read about in the next book.

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Wednesday 25 January 2017

Caroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and PrejudiceCaroline Bingley: A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Becton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

December 1812 and Bingley and Darcy are married. Refusing to apologise for her part in separating Bingley and Jane, Caroline is sent with a companion - Rosemary - to her mother's home in Kendal, Cumbria. This is the story of how Caroline tries to get back into the society she craves.
A very enjoyable story which was easy to read. I am enjoyable reading these non Darcy and Elizabeth stories and hope there are enough to keep reading for a while.

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Tuesday 24 January 2017

Death of a DancerDeath of a Dancer by Anthony Litton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Fifty years after their deaths two bodies are found in an abandoned theatre - The Dolphin. DI Calderwood leads the investigation.
Unfortunately the time scale does tend to limit the number of suspects, and I really didn't find it that interesting.
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Monday 23 January 2017

Bad Money (Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #6)Bad Money by Jason Vail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1263 April and a series of events lead to Attebrook investigating. Is here any connection, and if so what, between the theft of silver from various houses in Ludlow, the discovery of a dead boy in the back garden of the glover, and a dead man floating in the privy of the Broken Shield Inn (no not that one another one).
Another enjoyable mystery and now I have a wait until the next in the series is published (hopefully soon)

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Sunday 22 January 2017

The Colonel Takes A WifeThe Colonel Takes A Wife by Kathleen McLennan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sequel to Pride and Prejudice concentrating on the lives of Colonel Fitzwilliam and his travels, and Anne de Bourgh as she emerges from her shell. Can either of them find the love they are seeking.
I really enjoyed this story, I always like reading about the minor characters of this book.

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Saturday 21 January 2017

The Green Mill Murder (Phryne Fisher, #5)The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1920s Melbourne and in the Green Mill dance hall the final stagings of a dance marathon are cut short by a killing. Also on the dance floor is Phryne Fisher with her dance partner Charles Freeman. When Charles disappears his mother employs Phryne to find him and prove him innocent.
An interesting enough mystery with some likable characters.
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A Treasury of Regrets (Aristide Ravel Mysteries Book 4)A Treasury of Regrets by Susanne Alleyn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1797, and servant girl Jeannette Moineau has been accused of poisoning her master -Martin Dupont. Dupont daughter in Law, Laurence, believes her innocent and wants Ravel and Brasseur to investigate. But is this the end to the killings, and what secrets does Ravel reveal about mutual friends of his and Laurence,
A very enjoyable tale, and I really like the characters and hope there is another in the series.

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Friday 20 January 2017

Denial of Conscience: A Modern Darcy & Elizabeth AdventureDenial of Conscience: A Modern Darcy & Elizabeth Adventure by Cat Gardiner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A modern tale of Darcy as an assassin (the Iceman) working for the Obsidian group with his cousin Fitzwilliam, friends Caroline and Charles Bingley. The group is contracted to the CIA and are given the task of killing the Bennet father. Plans go astray when the Iceman is unable to complete his task, but action and adventure follow.
In this tale there are only two sisters and no Mrs Bennet. An enjoyable story.

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Thursday 19 January 2017

Murder by Ghostlight (Charles Dickens & Superintendent Jones #3)Murder by Ghostlight by J.C. Briggs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1850 Manchester and Charles Dickens in on a stage holding a gun with a dead man nearby and thereby he becomes the prime suspect. With the help of Superintendent Jones of Bow Street they aim to find the real murderer.
The mystery was interesting enough (it just got the 3 stars). The story did drag at some points, with too much description, and I didn't like the dialogue in the vernacular as it stopped the flow of the story when I had to go back to make out what had been said.
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Wednesday 18 January 2017

Murder & MatchmakingMurder & Matchmaking by Debbie Cowens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After three deaths Mr Sherlock Darcy and Dr Bingley are called in to investigate by Sir John Middleton. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is pleased because she believed that none of them were accidents. But what could be the possiblemotive for these seemingly unrelated deaths.
An enjoyable quick tale though as a lover of mysteries finding out who the murderer is virtually straightaway was a bit of a let down.

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Claiming Mister Kemp (Baleful Godmother, #4)Claiming Mister Kemp by Emily Larkin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This fourth in the series is a romance between two men - so big mature content alert.
The story of Lucas Kemp and Lt Thomas Matlock which started in Book 3 continues here as their story, and as it is set in the Georgian Period they must hid their affection. Can it be possible to have a happy ending.
I enjoyed the story and found the two main characters very likable.


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Tuesday 17 January 2017

The Keeper: Mary Bennet's Extraordinary Journey (The Bennet Wardrobe, #1)The Keeper: Mary Bennet's Extraordinary Journey by Don Jacobson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1691 Grinling Gibbins makes a magical wardrobe for Christopher Bennet the new owner of Longbourn. A wardrobe which sends blood Bennets to the future they need. This is the story that leads to Mary Bennet becoming a Keeper of the wardrobe, and her life story. The story weaves itself around historical people and places (as a lover of history I am okay with that) while telling the story of the Bennets, and the other characters from the original.
I really enjoyed the story and I am hoping to read the adventures of the other Bennets who went through the wardrobe.

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Monday 16 January 2017

A Short Time to DieA Short Time to Die by Susan Alice Bickford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marly Shaw, of Charon Springs, New York, has missed her lift home and is now being chased by two men.
Detectives Vanessa Alba and Jack Wong, are investigating why two members of the Harris criminal clan ended dead up in California, thirteen years later, a long way from Charon Springs.
The story tales what happened between these two dates.
An interesting thriller with a lot of unlikeable characters but it still made for a good read.
A Netgalley Book



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A School for Unusual Girls (Stranje House #1)A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Its 1814, and Stranje House run by Miss Stranje, has the reputation for disciplining the awkward, the abnormal, the young ladies who do not fit into Society. Currently housing four girls Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent there by her desperate parents. But what is the real reason for the girls and the school. What are Emma Stranje plans for them in the world of war.
I enjoyed the story, a mixture of thriller, mystery and romance, with some likeable characters and I found it very easy to read.

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Sunday 15 January 2017

Unpunished (A Gardiner and Renner Novel)Unpunished by Lisa Black
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Who is killing the staff on the Herald and why. This is for Maggie Gardiner, a forensic expert, and policeman Jack Renner to determine. I hadn't read the previous book but I don't think it is necessary to do so.
In quite a few places the book bored me - the long explanations of the death of printed newspapers and their working. It would have been a lot tighter story without it and a definite three stars.
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Saturday 14 January 2017

Unmasking Miss Appleby (Baleful Godmother, #1)Unmasking Miss Appleby by Emily Larkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlotte Appleby is totally surprised to find on her 25th birthday that she has been granted a wish from her Faerie godmother - but can she choose wisely.
Given her current situation she becomes a man, and applies and is given the position of secretary to Lord Cosgrove. Unfortunately someone is trying to destroy Cosgrove's reputation and kill him. Can they solve the mystery of who and why.
Really enjoying this series though I have not read them in the right order. The writing style is very easy and enjoyable to read and I like the characters.

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Friday 13 January 2017

The Thames River Murders (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, #10)The Thames River Murders by Ashley Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Peter Thompson of the Thames River police asks Lacey to try and find the murderer of a person killed about fifteen years earlier, all he has are the bones, a piece of cloth and a locket.
Meanwhile he is receiving blackmail letters stating that he is not the real Captain Lacey, and trying to cope with his daughters' coming out.
I really enjoy this series, the stories, the characters and the writing style.

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Lottie Pursues Bill (Meryton Matchmakers #1)Lottie Pursues Bill by Kristi Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story of Charolotte Lucas (baker) and William Collins (parson) living in the town of Meryton where they are friends with the co-owners of Meryton Matchmakers - the Bennet sisters. Unfortunately for Jane and Elizabeth, an investor in their company is Lady Catherine de Bourgh and when trouble occurs she arrives with her family - Anne, the Colonel and Darcy with his lawyer Bingley.
A modern day variation of Pride and Prejudice (not usually a genre I like), a very enjoyable read, I liked the story and style of writing was very easy to read.

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Thursday 12 January 2017

Mary BennetMary Bennet by Kate Allan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel Mary and Catherine Bennet are invited/sent to Pemberley to acquire husbands. On their journey northwards, while staying at an inn, Mary meets early one morning a Mr Sharnbrook of Kent. This proves not to be an auspicious start to a relationship but they meet later at Pemberley. Can Mary overcome her faults to have a happy ending.
An enjoyable easy to read tale of one of my favourite characters.

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The Trapped Girl (Tracy Crosswhite #4)The Trapped Girl by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When a body is found in a crab pot in Puget Sound, Detective Tracy Crosswhite has to first identify the body. Facial implants lead to a name, and her picture leads to a person who disappeared several months earlier.
I have not read earlier books which didn't seem a problem, and we were told some of the history of Crosswhite which I found distracted from the plot, and didn't find at all interesting.
For me this was a rating between a 2 and 3.
a NetGalley book

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Wednesday 11 January 2017

Sherlock Holmes and the Yule-tide MysterySherlock Holmes and the Yule-tide Mystery by Val Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One day just before Christmas, Holmes and Watson are called upon by James Harding as he is suspicious about an invitation from a gentleman previously unknown to him to attend a Christmas gathering at a manor house. Of course an incident happens but can Holmes solves the case.
A story I enjoyed.

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Tuesday 10 January 2017

His Dark Kiss (Dark Gothic, #2)His Dark Kiss by Eve Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As her last hope Emma Parrish accepts the offer of governess to Lord Anthony Crave's son at Manorbrier Castle in Wales. The husband of her cousin.
But what haunts the castle, what of the deaths, the nightly laughter or is it Emma's overactive imagination.
An enjoyable Gothic tale with likable characters.

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The Daughters of Pemberley: And A Lost LetterThe Daughters of Pemberley: And A Lost Letter by Maggi J. Coxon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With this sequel to Elizabeth Darcy of Pemberley it continues with the exchange of letters from the original characters. An easy quick read.

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Elizabeth Darcy of PemberleyElizabeth Darcy of Pemberley by Maggi J. Coxon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A sequel in letter form. I enjoyed the story of the various marriages and lives of the original characters but I would have liked the dates of the letters to note the passing of time and who was the writer at the top of the letter.


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Monday 9 January 2017

Lizzie Bennett: Pride and Prejudice Revisited 1943-1946: A Short Story (Austen Tales)Lizzie Bennett: Pride and Prejudice Revisited 1943-1946: A Short Story by Onna Carr
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Basically Bingley and Darcy meet Jane and Elizabeth Bennett during the war and eventually get married. The story is too short to say much else.

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Innocent StrangersInnocent Strangers by Millys Altman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Lawyer Marcus Stone and his daughter Jenny arrive at Mt. Hope and due to some dodgy circumstances are accused of murder. I finished the book but didn't really find it that interesting or satisfying.

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Sunday 8 January 2017

Beyond the Carousel (Wyattsville, #5)Beyond the Carousel by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The story of three generations of a family including a murder during the stock market crash and 25 years later the case is re-investigated.
I was really hoping that there would be more crime in the story so unfortunately it was not my type of book and it only just held by interest to get to the end.
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Finally Mrs. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice NovellaFinally Mrs. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Novella by Leenie Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After been separated for five years because of Charles Bingley, Darcy and Elizabeth Amberly finally meet. Can there be a happy ending.
A sweet tale.

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The Penny Dreadful Curse (Watson & the Countess #3)The Penny Dreadful Curse by Anna Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

York, 1899 ans Inspector Bird is glad of the help offered by Watson and the Countess with the five murders he is investigating. They soon realise that all the dead are writers of penny dreadfuls.
An entertaining mystery with a style of writing that I like.

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Saturday 7 January 2017

Death at the DogDeath at the Dog by Joanna Cannan


In blackout England, at the beginning of the war, the village Squire - Scaife - is killed in a crowded pub. It is up to Inspector Guy Northeast to find the murderer.
Unfortunately my main suspect was proved to be the guilty one - very disappointing.
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Friday 6 January 2017

The Vocation of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice SequelThe Vocation of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Carrie Mollenkopf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

it is now June 1830 nearly fifteen years since the wedding of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. Mary is now the last of the daughters at home, spending her time looking after her parents and cultivating her interest in the sciences. So when an illness spreads through Meryton she is able to help.
I really enjoyed the story but I freely admit that Mary Bennet is one of my favourite characters more so then the other Bennets or Darcy.

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The Chartreuse ClueThe Chartreuse Clue by William F. Love
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When a priest wakes up in his girlfriends' apartment and finds her murdered, Bishop Regan and his assistant David Goldman, ex-cop, investigate.
Didn't actually find the characters that interesting or the mystery compelling, an okay read but didn't really like the writing style that much.
A NetGalley Book

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Thursday 5 January 2017

Trusting Miss Trentham (Baleful Godmother, #3)Trusting Miss Trentham by Emily Larkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1808, and the very wealthy Letitia Trentham has a gift, she can hear when a lie is spoken and consequently at the age of 27 has refused two hundred offers of marriage.
A Major Reid on hearing of this knack asks for her help in finding a traitor - Major Icarus Reid only just survived the Battle of Vimeiro in Portugal. He is alive for only one reason - to hunt for the person who betrayed him and his scouts to the French.
Enjoyed the story a lot, with a very easy writing style, and I really liked the characters.
(Received a free copy from the author)


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Wednesday 4 January 2017

The Scent of DeathThe Scent of Death by Roger Silverwood
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2nd April 1912, London, a clown is dispensing presents from the top of a building, a jewellery robbery is taking place and a dead man is found. Are there are connections and if so what and whom.
Inspector Pilgrim investigates.
The story was okay, not that interesting, but found the writing style a bit disconcerting.
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Miss Darcy's Passion (Mrs. Darcy Entertains, #3)Miss Darcy's Passion by Wendy Soliman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dominic Sanford has finally come home to Derbyshire to determine if his parents had been murdered some years previously and by whom.
When Georgiana Darcy sees Sanford for the first time at the Fitzwilliam wedding she feels an attraction.
Can Georgiana help Dominic find the answers he desires.
An entertaining tale with some new characters. Look forward to reading the next in the series.

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Tuesday 3 January 2017

Someone Lying, Someone DyingSomeone Lying, Someone Dying by John Burke
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

First published in 1968.
What is the connection between a disappearance in 1913, a body discovered fifty years later, and a murdered man.
This book was okay, not really that interesting, the story or the characters or the writing style. It got the two stars because I finished it.
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A Peculiar ConnectionA Peculiar Connection by Jan Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Lady Catherine de Bourgh visits Longbourn and does not get the answer she requires from Elizabeth Bennet she informs her that her marriage is forbidden because Elizabeth and Darcy are brother and sister.
So starts the quest to confirm this information or find the truth.
An enjoyable tale, torturing both Darcy and Elizabeth.

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Monday 2 January 2017

Murder on the Mullet ExpressMurder on the Mullet Express by Gwen Mayo
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1926 and a group people head off to Homosassa, Florida to acquire land. Just before boarding a train - The Mullet Express - a fight breaks out.Later one of those involved is dead. Cornelia Pettijohn investigates when her uncle becomes a suspect.
Didn't really find the story that interesting, and didn't really much for the characters.
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Saint Milburga's Bones (Stephen Attebrook Mysteries #5)Saint Milburga's Bones by Jason Vail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1262 and Price Edward has come to Ludlow in prepation for war with the Welsh. Attebrook wishes to join up but his injury prevents this so he must stay and investigate the death of a castle guard and a stolen relic.
Another enjoyable mystery. (Though at one point Ludlow is said to be in Hertfordshire rather than Herefordshire.)

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Sunday 1 January 2017

Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey: A WWI Pride & Prejudice Variation (Great War Romance, #2)Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey: A WWI Pride & Prejudice Variation by Ginger Monette
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is now 1917 and the story continues. Unfortunately Elizabeth Bennet believes she is being hunted as a spy but fortune lands her as a nurse to Captain Darcy. There are now many obstacles to prevent a happy ending, only time will tell.
I really enjoyed this story, and liked the characters, new and old. An interesting read even though we were taken through the trauma of the battlefields of the war.
I didn't feel that I was missing out because I hadn't read the first book though I think it would preferable to have done so. It only means that I need to do that soon, and then re-read this book.
Anything I didn't like? Would have loved more of Colonel Fitzwilliam but that is just a personal preference.

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Darcy's Christmas Wish: A Pride and Prejudice VariationDarcy's Christmas Wish: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Penelope Swan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Elizabeth comes to visit Charlotte Collins at the Hunsford Parsonage as the Christmas period begins. Can the past fading memories of rescue by a girl resurface in Darcy's mind. Can events lead to that happy ending.
An enjoyable story.

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