Black Wreath by M. Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Arthur Endswell, a poor gentlemen is employed by Dr Faust Grey to provide him with bodies, until Dr. Grey determines that two of the bodies have been poisoned and therefore useless to him. So he tells Arthur to find the murderer before he will accept any more bodies.
An interesting mystery with it seems no redeeming characters.

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Murder in Montparnasse by Kerry Greenwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1928 and a group of soldiers from the Great War believe they are being targeted by a murdrerer - two are already dead - and they need the help of Phryne to discover why and who. Meanwhile chef Anatole Bertrand asks Phryne to find his disappeared fiancee.
An easily read enjoyable mystery.
a NetGalley Book

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The Queen's Man: A John Shakespeare Mystery by Rory Clements
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is now 1582 and Sir Francis Walsingham has been training John Shakespeare to be his apprentice. So now he has been sent to Sheffield to assess the fortification of the castle holding the Queen of Scots, and then proceed to Warwickshire, his home county to investigate the situation of the secret Catholics.
A very enjoyable mystery, I liked most of the characters and look forward to reading the next in the series.

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The Essence of Malice by Ashley Weaver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1933 Italy, Amory and Milo Ames are on holiday when he receives a letter from Madame Nanette, his childhood nanny. They travel on to Paris only to find that Madame's employer, Helios Belanger, is dead and she suspects that he has been killed. Amory and Milo decide to investiage, though Amory as times seemed to be hindered by Milo's behaviour.
An enjoyable, well-written likeable mystery, which can easily be read as a stand-alone book in the series.
A NetGalley Book

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The Colour of Betrayal: A Sebastian Foxley Medieval Murder Mystery by Toni Mount
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a short medieval mystery story of the goldsmith Lawrence Ducket and the results of a street brawl with a Ralph Aldgate. With information obtained from his apprentice Jack Tabor, Sebastian Foxley is unconvinced that the right verdict has been reached.
An interesting enough story, but poor Sebastian it sounds like his wife is becoming a harridan.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy

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The Countess of Prague: Book One by Stephen Weeks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1904 Beatrice von Falklenburg, and becomes embroiled in a Tontine scheme of her Uncle Berty. His nominee had been found dead and therefore he collects none of the money from the scheme, but is he really dead. Beatrice is asked to investigate this mystery by her Uncle which leads to bigger more complex plans to unravel. The reader was informed of every clue she found, as she tried to put all the pieces together.
A good start to this mystery series which I expect we will get to know and like these characters more.
A NetGalley Book.

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Keeper of Pleas by Annelie Wendeberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

December 1880 Whitechapel, and the skeletons of nine babies are discovered in flowerpots. It is Coroner Gavriel Severe who investigates. When the mortician, Alexander Easy, who received the bodies disappears, he wonders if the cases are connected.
The books brings to life the dark side of Victorian England, in this well-developed mystery with its interesting characters.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.

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The Fourth Friend by Joy Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eighteen months after a light aircraft crash, injured him and killed his four friends Detective Sergeant Carter MacLean is back at work. But his dead friends keeping turning up, until he realises that they each have a last request to ask of him.
Meanwhile DI Rowan Jackman and DS Marie Evans are concerned for him, so they keep him away from their cold case investigation - what has happened to Suzanne Holland, the wife of one of his dead friends.
Again another well-written mystery from this author, the third in this series, containing well-rounded interesting characters.
It can be read as a standalone novel
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher, Joffe Books.

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Behind Closed Doors by Brian L. Porter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1888, while Whitechapel is reeling under The Ripper killings ,another serial killer roams London. Detective Inspector Albert Norris and Sgt. Hillman, are given this case.
For me just an okay telling of the mystery, more a 2.5 rating.

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Edinburgh Twilight by Carole Lawrence
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1881, Edinburgh and Stephen Wycherly walks up Athur's Seat to meet his blackmailer, not knowing he will never return.
On examining the the body Detectibe Inspector Hamilton determines he has been murdered, and so the hunt is on for the Holyrood Strangler, aided by Detective Sergeant Dickerson.
A well-written mystery with good developed characters. An excellent start to a new series which I look forward to reading.
a NetGalley Book

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Death of a Busybody by George Bellairs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Miss Tither, gossip and busybody of the village of Hilary Magna is found dead. Chief Inspector Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is brought in to investigate, but with so many possible suspects can he find the murderer.
A nice little mystery, though I would prefer less of the vernacular in the speech patterns, as I did at times find it tiresome to read.
First published in 1943.
A NetGalley Book

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A Murder Too Soon by Michael Jecks
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It's 1554 and Jack Blackjack (a former thief), is now employed as an unlikely assassin by John Blount who thankfully for Jack sends him to Woodstock, the place of imprisonment of the Lady Elizabeth to kill a spy in her household.
Soon after he arrives the murder occursand as he is First Finder he must prove his innocence by determing who is the guilty party.
As I didn't take to the character of Jack and it seemed that whatever could go wrong did, this did tend to spoil my enjoyment of the tale.
A NetGalley Book


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Sherlock Holmes The Christmas Rose by John Pirillo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As Christmas approaches Holmes and Watson go on holiday to Switzerland where Watson re-discovers the true Watson. An interesting tale.

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Death Shall Come by Simon R. Green
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Ishmael Jones is asked as a favour by the Colonel, working for the same Organisation, to spend the weekend at Cardavan house where a recently discovered mummy would be on display. Then the murders start.
A murder mystery with a twist of supernatural/alien content which although was interesting enough for me to read to the end, the plot and the characters really didn't engage me.
A NetGalley Book

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The King's Man by Elizabeth Kingston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

By 1280 Ranulf Ombrier is known as the favourite killer of Edward I. Fearing for his mortal soul he wanders into the Welsh Marshers and is attacked. Tended by Gwenlliam of Ruardean, he is eventually on his way back to Edward's court. But that is only the beginning.
An interesting tale, well-written aand I liked the characters.

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The Property of Lies: A 1930s' Historical Mystery by Marjorie Eccles
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

June 1930 and Ellen Reardon has been offered the position of French teacher at Maxstead Court School for Girls. But as she is shown around the school a body is discovered, and it is her husband DI Reardon that is called in to investigate.
An interesting enough mystery that kept me reading to the end though I didn't really engage with the characters.
A NetGalley Book

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The Red Hill by David Penny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1480 and English physican, Thomas Berrington, is living in Moorish Spain. His Sultan requests he investigate the deaths that have occurred.
Very enjoyable mystery, well-written, and characters I want to read more about.

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A Shadowed Livery by Charlie Garratt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1938 and Inspector James Given is instructed to look again at a murder and two suicides at Grovestock House in a nearby village.
An interesting little mystery based on true events.

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Sweet Revenge by Andrea Penrose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1813, and Lady Arianna Hadley has returned to England to revenge her father's death. In her disguise as a French chef she becomes a suspect in the poisoning of the Prince Regent. In his role of an investigator she meets the Earl of Saybrook. But this is just the start of the intrigue.
A well-written, enjoyable mystery with interesting characters which I look forward to reading more about.

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The Silver Gun by L.A. Chandlar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1936, New York City and Lane Sanders is the personal aide to the city's Mayor La Guardia. But then her life is in danger from an assilant connected to one of the city's gangs.
I didn't really take to the characters or the plot, not sure why, maybe the plot was too reliant on gangsters to be overly interesting to me. It was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end, and I might try the next in the series to see how the characters develop in a new mystery.
A NetGalley Book.

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Shadow of the Dolocher: An Alderman James Mystery Thriller by European P. Douglas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is now 1791, and two years have passed since the hanging of the serialkiller known ‘The Dolocher’. Then the killings start again, and Alderman James doesn't know who to trust.
Another enjoyable mystery in the series.

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Dangerous and Unseemly by K.B. Owen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1896, and college professor Concordia Wells, is distracted by the ill-health of her sisiter Mary but this is compounded by the college being troubled by money problems, malicious pranks, and arson, all topped by the suicide of the bursar.
An enjoyable mystery, well-written, and likeable characters. I look forward to reading more.

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A Deadly Affection by Cuyler Overholt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In 1907 when Dr. Genevieve Summerford, a newly qualified psychiatrist finds one of her patients accused of murder, she needs to investiagte because it might just be her fault.
I wasn't too sure about the character of Genevieve, at times her attitude did annoy me, and didn't really find her interesting, and I did wish for less medical input, but nevertheless an interesting mystery.

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The Unquiet Grave by David J. Oldman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1946 and Captain Harry Tennant has returned from service to join the intelligence corp to investigate war crimes - the smaller cases. Which was the exact reason that Rose Kearney's letter seeking to determine the whereabouts of her missing in action brother ended up on his desk.
A very readable story and mystery with descriptions of the time.

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Grave Matters by Donna Fletcher Crow
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

At the Great Exhibition Lady Antonia discovers a body. But this is soon forgotten as her marriage to Lord Danvers appraches and they set off on thier honeymoon in Scotland. With digging into past personal histories, the body also comes back to haunt them.
Too much non-inportant description to make it interesting.

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The Daemoniac by Kat Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

August, 1888 New York and Leland and Elizabeth Brady employ Miss Pell to find their missing friend, Robert Straker. Harrision Fearing Pell decides to impersonate her older sister and take the case with her best friend John Weston. This leads them to the first body.
Very enjoyable mystery, look forward to see how the series has developed.

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A Lack of Temperance by Anna Loan-Wilsey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's 1892 and Hattie Davish has been newly employed as a secretary to temperance movement leader Mrs. Edwina Trevelyan of Eureka Springs. But before she has a chance to officially meet her Mrs Trevelyan goes missing. Hattie decides to find out why and where.
An enjoyable start to a new mystery series. Interesting to see which other characters if any transfer to the next book.

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Goodnight Sweet Prince by David Dickinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lord Francis Powerscourt is called in by the household of the Prince of Wales when in 1891 Prince Eddy his eldest son is found murdered.
At times there was a bit too much description which for me slowed the pace of the story but still an enjoyable mystery.

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Bleddyn Hall by Amanda L.V. Shalaby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's the 1860s and with her debut season underway Lady Isabel Sutton becomes engaged to Lord Tresham Bleddyn, Earl of Dancy. His family return home to Bleddyn Hall, after devasting news, taking Isabel with them only to find that Tresham locks himself away from the family. What secrets, what mysteries does the old house hold.
An interesting gothic mystery with romance.

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High Marks for Murder by Kate Kingsbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's 1905 at the Bellehave House school and the headmistress Mrs Meredith Llewellyn wakes up one morning to discover that one of her teachers is dead.
A light quick read that involves the ghost of the dead teacher pointing Meredith to the guilty party.

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A Marquess for Convenience by Bianca Blythe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lord Arthur Carmichael, Marquess of Bancroft, has been employed as a spy by the British Governmentduring the French war, meanwhile Lady Madeline Mulbourne, has been intent on retrieving stolen jewels and giving them back to their rightful owners. But then Carmichael is assigned to find and arrest this unknown thief.
An enjoyable thriller and romance with likeable characters.
A NetGalley Book

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Never Sleep: The Chronicle of a Lady Detective by K.B. Owen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Penelope Hamilton Wynch is assigned to a Pinkerton case at the request of her husband. To find out who is trying to kill H A Comstock, mill owner, she is to work undercover as Comstock's secretary.
A well-written, interesting mystery and a quick read.

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What You Propose by Adele Clee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1820 France and Madame Marie Labelle has been sent from England by the Marquess of Danefield to the home of Marcus Danbury.
Though Danbury works for the British Crown or any member of the nobility who can pay, providing a sanctuary for a brothel madam was not something he envisioned doing.
An enjoyable, well-written romance with a hint of mystery.

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The Hidden House Murders: Miss Hart and Miss Hunter Investigate: Book 3 by Celina Grace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back in the country with Miss Dorothy Drew, lady’s maid Verity Hunter and cook Joan Hart, are working at Hidden House, the home of Mrs Ashford.
The next day the guests are struck down with suspected food posioning which could be the cause of at least one person's death.
Inspector Marks is brought in to investigate, and yet again he relies on Joan for inside help.
Really enjoy this well-written, cozy mystery series with some lovely characters which just grow on you.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy

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She Be Damned: A Heloise Chancey Mystery by M.J. Tjia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1863 and courtesan and private investigator Heloise Chancey is employed to trace a young lady in Waterloo, London. During her search she discovers that prostitutes are being horrendously killed and decides to discover the guilty party.
A very readable book, a good mystery. Though I do like to become attached to the characters in any book I am reading this didn't really happen here, which maybe because of her occupation. It may take more books for that to happen.
A NetGalley Book

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Murder at Hartigan House by Lee Strauss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's 1923 and Lady Gold has finally arrived back in London at her family home - Hartigan House -
only to be informed that a body had been found in an attic room. The room used to belong to her father's valet - a body that has been there for ten years.
An enjoyable, easy to read mystery.

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Design for Dying: A Lillian Frost & Edith Head Novel by Renee Patrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Los Angeles, 1937, and Lillian Frost realising how bad an actress she is has given up on her non-existent acting career and is working in a deparment store. Only to be questioned by the police - Detective Morrow and Hansen - when her ex-roommate and actress Ruby Carroll is found murdered, wearing clothes purloined from the wardrobe department of the Paramount studios. Lillian and Edith Head decide to worked together to clear their names.
An enjoyable start to a new mystery series which establishes the main characters for the future.

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The Poisonous Seed by Linda Stratmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1880 London, and Percival Garton has received his bottle of medicine from William Doughty's chemist shop. Unfortunatley, Garton soon dies and from strychnine poisoning, a substance in his medicine. To clear her father's name Frances Doughty decides she has no choice but to investiage the death.
I enjoyed this book, for the mystery and the characters, and look forward to reading the next.

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The Butchered Man by Harriet Smart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1840 Northminister and doctor Felix Carswell and his new superior Chief Constable Giles Vernon investigate the death of a body found in a ditch.
Well-written, lovely characters and setting, with a decent mystery means I will be reading the next in the series.

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