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Monday 31 July 2017

From the Ashes (Ravenwood Mysteries #1)From the Ashes by Sabrina Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Atticus Riot returns to San Francisco three years after his partner was killed. Now 1900 he is quickly drawn into the lastest case of the detective agency. The abduction of an heiress, Mrs Isobel Kingston.
A well-written, enjoyable mystery with some complex characters.

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The Mysterious Miss Flint (Lost Ladies of London Book 1)The Mysterious Miss Flint by Adele Clee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oliver Darby returns to England to claim his title as the 4th Earl of Stanton only to find his younger sister, Rose, missing. His search leads him to Morton Manor, only to find Rose missing, but her companion Miss Flint still needs his help.
An enjoyable easy read of romance mixed with mystery, that has a strong female lead.
Received an Advanced Raeder Copy.

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Sunday 30 July 2017

A Heartless Design (Secrets of the Zodiac #1)A Heartless Design by Elizabeth Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1806, Georgian England, why does Cordelia Bering continue to refuse all marriage proposals, what secrets does she hide. Sebastien Thorne, a spy for the Crown, a member of a group called Zodiac, is determined to find out as he seeks to find out what Andraste means.
An enjoyable mystery romance, an easy to read story, with well-rounded characters. A good start to the series which I look forward to reading.

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Saturday 29 July 2017

Marriage Can Be Murder (Dr. Benjamin Bones Mysteries, #1)Marriage Can Be Murder by Emma Jameson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 1939 England and Dr. Benjamin Bones has been assigned as the doctor to the village of Birdswing and its surrounding area. But for his wife, Penny, it is a return to her old life, a return she doesn't welcome.
But moments after arriving she is killed and the Doctor seriously injured.
Once recovered he joins with Lady Juliet to find the guilty party.
I enjoyed this well-written mystery with some well-rounded characters, and look forward to reading the next in the series.

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Friday 28 July 2017

The Mystery of a Hansom CabThe Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Melbourne, in the late nineteenth century and early one morning two men enter a hansom cab. After one leaves the other is found dead.
An interesting mystery though at times a little longwinded and I did scan the conversations written in the vernacular.

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Thursday 27 July 2017

Beastly House (A Cupid/Archer Mystery Book 1)Beastly House by Joni Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1920,and Leigh House is now a sanitarium. But now a murder has been committed and Detective Phalen Archer teams up with one of the patients - Florian Valentine Flix -also known as Cupid to discover the murderer.
An enjoyable mystery though I did get to most of the solution before the duo.

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Wednesday 26 July 2017

LimelightLimelight by Emily Organ
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London, 1883 and the body of actress Lizzie Dixie is found in Highgate Cemetery. But how is that possible when she had drowned in the River Thames five years earlier.
A very enjoyable well-written mystery and I like the main characters as well. Look forward to reading the next in the series.


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Tuesday 25 July 2017

The House of Closed Doors (The House of Closed Doors #1)The House of Closed Doors by Jane Steen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1870s midwest Eleanor Lillington finds herslef at 17 pregnant and refusing to name the father she is sent away to have her child. But her peaceful extistence is broken by the discovery of a dead female and her baby, which Eleanor decides to investigate.
A nice slow paced, well-written mystery

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Monday 24 July 2017

A Head for Murder (Master of Defense, #2)A Head for Murder by Peter Tonkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1594, while Tom Musgrave is rescuing a girl from a mob of apprentices playing football, the ball is replaced by a head. With his old friend Talbot Law, the Bishop's Bailiff they investiage the crime.
An enjoyable mystery.

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Sunday 23 July 2017

Lord Lynster Discovers (The Traitor Lords Saga #1)Lord Lynster Discovers by Adella J. Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Just as the Earl of Lynster is about to be exposed as a traitor he kills himself and leaves his estranged heir, James, to deal with the aftermath. When Daniel Rivers, the butler, is implicated in the plot the Earl decides he must investigate to remove suspicion from Rivers and himself.
An enjoyable straightforward mystery, with two likeable main characters.
A NetGalley Book

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Blackstone on BroadwayBlackstone on Broadway by Richard Falkirk
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Edmund Blackstone, Bow Street Runner, manages to assign himself as a consultant to the New York police but while there he is really after Captain Kidd's lost treasure.
An enjoyable story with a likeable main character, who is 'helped' in his adventure by an emancipated Fanny Campbell.

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Saturday 22 July 2017

Lord of Night (Rogues to Riches Book 3)Lord of Night by Erica Ridley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Miss Dahlia Grenville daughter of a Baron is the headmistress of a school for poor girls. Simon Spalding, illegitimate son of a Lord is a Bow Street Runner.His latest assignment is to catch the thief of Mayfair to ensure his promotion. To fund her school Dahlia has had to become a thief. I like the character of Simon and would have liked to have read more about his other cases.
An enjoyable read with a little mystery.
A Netgalley Book

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Friday 21 July 2017

Deadly Peril (Alec Halsey Mystery #3)Deadly Peril by Lucinda Brant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1763 and Alec Halsey's past has finally caught up with him. He is sent on a diplomatic mission to Midanich, to bargain or pay for the release of two of his friends.
While enjoyable (those at times there was too much description) this is not a mystery but a thriller so for me not as interesting as the previous two books.

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Thursday 20 July 2017

Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery, #1)Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

New York at the turn of the century, while visiting a patient, midwife Sarah Brandt, believes she sees someone she knows, a girl from her old life. Next day as she re-visits her patient, Sarah finds that the girl is dead and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy asks her to inspect the girls's room. So starts Sarah's involement in the case.
A well-written first in series, an enjoyable mystery, with developing characters. Can't ask for more from a historical mystery.

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Wednesday 19 July 2017

A Murder of No Account (An Eve Duncan Mystery)A Murder of No Account by Julia Underwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1940 London and when Eve Duncan comes across a body the police having no time to investigate ask her to start the enquiries.
A quick read which doesn't make for a complicated mystery or too much character development. But still a nice story to start the series off.

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Tuesday 18 July 2017

The Cryptographer (Second Sons, #1)The Cryptographer by Alice Wallis-Eton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England, 1813. Aster Tanner is employed in the Records Office and is content with her non-descript life until Captain Iain McIntyre, of the Second Dragoons, appears on a confidential mission.
Very enjoyable, well-written, and with lovely characters.
Would love to read the rest of the series but I can't find them anywhere

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Monday 17 July 2017

The Fall Of White City (Victorian Chicago Mystery Series Book 1)The Fall Of White City by N.S. Wikarski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1893 Chicago and the body of Elsa Bauer has been found in a hotel room. Heiress Evangeline LeClair believes that the police have the wrong person in custody and enlists the help of her close friend Freddie Simpson to discover the truth.
A well-written mystery with some developed characters made for an interesting read and will look forward to reading the next in the series.

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Sunday 16 July 2017

Case of the Bedevilled Poet: A Sherlock Holmes Enigma (NewCon Press Novellas Set 2 Book 1)Case of the Bedevilled Poet: A Sherlock Holmes Enigma by Simon Clark
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Jack Crofton a poet employed as a script writer during Word War II is suddenly faced with people wanting to kill him. Finally escaping into a public house he meets Holmes and Watson who offer to help.
Though I finished the story I unfortunately really didn't take to it.

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Deadly Affair (Alec Halsey Mystery, #2)Deadly Affair by Lucinda Brant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1763 and now Alec is a Marquis but when a vicar dies, sitting next to him, at a dinner given by Sir Charles Weir decides to investiagte. But soon secrets start to be revealed.
Another well-written, enjoyable mystery in this series

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Saturday 15 July 2017

Penance of the Damned (Sister Fidelma, #27)Penance of the Damned by Peter Tremayne
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

In 671, Ireland when King Colgú learns that his Chief Bishop has been killed in the fortress of the Uí Fidgente, held by his enemy, he sends his sister Fidelma to investigate in what seems to be a locked room mystery.
Took too long for Fidelma and her team to arrive at the fortress that I was already bored, too much extraneous detail, too much Irish history and religion.
A NetGalley Book

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Friday 14 July 2017

The Devil in Beauty (The Lord Trevelin Mysteries, #1)The Devil in Beauty by Heidi Ashworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

October 1811 and disgraced Julian Silvester, the Marquis of Trevelin vows to clear his friend Willy Gilbert of killing his younger brother. An acquinatnce of his, Lady Vawdrey, has had her diamond necklace stolen and he agrees to find it and the guilty party. But is there a connection between the two events. His aim is to get back his good name and be welcomed back into society.
I really enjoyed this well-written, historical mystery, with some good rounded characters and look forward to the next book.
A NetGalley Book

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Thursday 13 July 2017

The Alchemist in the AtticThe Alchemist in the Attic by Antonio Urias
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1899 San Francisco and bodies are being found in the bay. Theodore Atwood a newspaperman for the struggling Oracle believes that this will result in a story to save his career and the paper. He starts to follow the leads.
I enjoyed the story, even though occult mystery is not my usual read, especially the ending. The story was also full of interesting characters.

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Wednesday 12 July 2017

The Cage (An Ed Galber Mystery)The Cage by Stephen Wade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1920 Cardiff, and ex-boxer, ex-prisn officer and now provate investigator Ed Galber, is employed to find a man, a Captain Hone. We also have the story of Tommy, a conscientious objector held at a camp run by Hone.
It was an interesting enough story though I'm not sure that I care much for the character of Galber.

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Tuesday 11 July 2017

Inspector of the Dead (Thomas De Quincey, #2)Inspector of the Dead by David Morrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1855 the Crimean War is continuing and the British government has collapsed. But the De Quincey's with their police friends - detectives Ryan and Becker - are faced with a killer of the upper levels of society. With each corpse he leaves the name of a person who had previously attempted to assassinate the Queen.
Really enjoyed with very well-written mystery with great characters.

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Monday 10 July 2017

The ClueThe Clue by Carolyn Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When heiress Madeleine Van Norman is found dead, suicide is the first thought. But clues start being noticed. Robert Fessenden, best man, lawyer and amateur detective decides to ask questions until finally near the end of the story Fleming Stone, the great detective is employed to find the guilty party.
The story was written in 1909 and needs to be read in that context, but still an interesting read.

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Deadly Engagement (Alec Halsey Mystery, #1)Deadly Engagement by Lucinda Brant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A re-read of the first book in the series in preparation for continuing the series -Alec Halsey, a diplomat, has returned to London of 1763 to find that his brother the Earl of Delvin is engaged to the woman he loves, and has killed a friend, Jack, in a duel. The mother of Jack believes he has been murdered and wants Alex to investigate. This leads him to a house party held by his god-mother.
Enjoyed the book again, well-written, good mystery and likeable characters.

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Sunday 9 July 2017

Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose (A Sherlock Holmes & Mrs Hudson Mystery)Mrs Hudson and the Malabar Rose by Martin Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The very large Malabar Rose ruby is brought to London to be put on show, and Holmes and Watson are asked to make sure that it is not stolen. Meanwhile Mrs Hudson and Flotsam look into the disappearance of James Phillimore, a clerk.
Well-written with a good mystery with some likeable characters.

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Saturday 8 July 2017

The Devil's Cup (Hawkenlye Mysteries, #17)The Devil's Cup by Alys Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When the French invade England in September, 1216 Sir Josse d'Acquin is called to the side of King John. Meanwhile his daughter Messie has joined up with Faruq, a man with a mission, on a journey to find the Devil's cup.
Having read the first couple of books in the series some time ago I had hoped to be reading a murder mystery, this was more of a historical thriller with a mystical element. If you have read all the previous books then this is probably a must read.
But as a stand-alone book is was just enjoyable enough, with some decent characters.
A NetGalley Book.

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Friday 7 July 2017

Murder in DisguiseMurder in Disguise by Mary Miley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jessie Beckett is working at the PickFair Studio in 1925 and is asked to investigate the death of Joe Petrovitch, the husband of a co-worker, bue to her success in previous murder investigations. But how could this killer, a man in a red coat, who fired three shots at Petrovitch leave a crowded theatre without being noticed.
Although this is the fourth in the series I didn't find it was necessary to read the previous books. I found the story entertaining and a good mystery, and some good rounded characters.
A NetGalley Book

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Nocturne for a WidowNocturne for a Widow by Amanda DeWees
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In January 1873 London, Sybil Ingram leaves her theatre group and travels to the States to marry. But nothing goes to plan and she finds herself at Brooke House, in the Hudson Bay aiming to be a guardian to young Roderick Brooke.
This romance with a bit of a gothic mystery is a fun and enjoyable read.

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Thursday 6 July 2017

A Deadly Betrothal (Ursula Blanchard #15)A Deadly Betrothal by Fiona Buckley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1579, and Ursula is asked to help a family friend, Marjorie Harrison, who's husband has unfortunately returned after many years living with a widow. Events soon change when Marjorie's nephew goes missing. What other intrigues surround her.
A decent enough Elizabethan mystery but even with some interesting characters the story didn't really catch my imagination and pull me into the tale.
A NetGalley Book

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Wednesday 5 July 2017

Murder Take Three (Langham and Dupre, #4)Murder Take Three by Eric Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A 1950's setting where Donald Langham, a private detective and writer is employed by an American actress, Suzie Reynard, to spend the weekend at Marling Hall, as she believes someone is trying to harm the director of the film being made at that location.
An easy to read enjoyable mystery with likeable characters. My only problem was that I had worked out who the guilty party was before the end.
A NetGalley Book

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Tuesday 4 July 2017

Changing of the Guard (Pomp and Poverty Book 1)Changing of the Guard by James Farner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The story begons in 1827 when because his parents died when he was young Edward Urwin is living in poverty with his uncle andaunt in Birminham. Until a man, Henry Beechworth, takes an interest in him. And his life starts to change.
Just about kept my interest.

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Monday 3 July 2017

An East End Murder (Charles Lenox Mysteries, #4.5)An East End Murder by Charles Finch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A short story set in 1865 London, where Lenox investigates the death of a well-liked rat-catcher.
Interesting, but felt it could have been expanded.

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Murder at Chateau sur Mer (A Gilded Newport Mystery)Murder at Chateau sur Mer by Alyssa Maxwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1897, Rhode Island, while reporting on a polo match Emma Cross witnesses the removal of a female. Later that night the same female is found dead in the home of Senator George Wetmore. Mrs Edith Wetmore engages Emma to discover the truth behind the death.
An enjoyable, well-written easy to read mystery.
A NetGalley Book

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Wickham's DiaryWickham's Diary by Amanda Grange
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The thoughts and actions of George Wickham from when he was a lad in 1784 up to deciding to join the militia.
A very easy, well-written story which I enjoyed reading the evolution of Wickham's character but I would have liked it to continue up to and past his marriage to Lydia.

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Sunday 2 July 2017

Angel Comes to the Devil's KeepAngel Comes to the Devil's Keep by Regina Jeffers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1819, London, Angelica Lovelace and Huntington McLaughlin, the Marquess of Malvern although they have not met, become aware of each other. But it is not until they are both heading north for a house party at his parents estate, during a severe storm, to they actually meet. But what can Angelica do to protect her reputation, and what mysteries come to light.
An enjoyable tale with likeable characters.

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Saturday 1 July 2017

The Wrong ShapeThe Wrong Shape by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Why does the shape of a piece of paper raise suspicion in Father Brown, and can it help him solve his latest case.

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A Dangerous Seduction (Bow Street Brides, #1)A Dangerous Seduction by Jillian Eaton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When Lady Scarlett Sherwood's husband is found dead, Captain of the Bow Street Runners Owen Steel believes she is the guilty party. But they have shared a past that blinds him.
It was an enjoyable enough story but would have preferred much more mystery and less of the romance.
Several things did distract from the story for me, as far as accuracy is concerned, which is why I didn't give it 3 stars - in this time period divorces were expensive and a long protracted process, not started and finished within a couple of months. I can't imagine there is any place in Surrey which was a four day carriage ride from London. Hampshire is not to the east of Surrey, and in England there is a ground floor beneath the first floor.

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