Gin and Murder by Josephine Pullein-Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI Flecker and D.S. Browning of Scotland Yard are called in to investigate a death in Melborough, after the local police fail to discover the guilty party.
An enjoyableand entertaining mystery set in horse and hounds country
Originally written in 1959

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The Cornish Mystery: A Short Story by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mrs Pengelly visits Poirot because she thinks that her husband is poisoning her, but refuses to go to the police because of the possible notoriety from the case. Poirot and Captain Hastings travel to Cornwall to investigate.
Another short enjoyable mystery

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Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1802 and Jane Austen is staying with her friend Isobel Payne, at the home of her husband Lord Scargrave. But when the Earl dies suspicion is thrown onto the newly married Isobel. Isobel asks Jane to discover the truth.
Enjoyed this well-written cozy mystery which has the added bonus of the character of Jane Austen. Very good solid start to the series.

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Lord Darkwood's Revenge by Jennifer Wenn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ten years have passed since Lord Darkwood's terribleaccident. Time to take revenge on his ex-fiancée and her family, and so he 'buys' the younger sister, Wendolyne Russell, to act as a companion to his aunt.
Although overall an enjoyable story, I could have liked more revenge and less romance. I also didn't really care much for the two main characters as a couple, and some of the other characters seemed to have been too extreme.
A NetGalley Book

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The Paradise Mystery by J.S. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What secrets lie under the sheen of respectability in Wrychester. When a body of a stranger is discovered, it leads several people to seek out the truth, but what are their motives.
An enjoyable and interesting mystery, originally written in 1921

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Mr. Darcy's Bad Day: A Pride & Prejudice Novella by Christie Capps
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Darcy decides one day to take a walk while staying at Netherfield. His first mistake. When he receives an injury and then gets caught in the rain, is it possible for his day to get any worse.
An enjoyable well-written romance story.

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A Mersey Mariner by Brian L. Porter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When the cargo liner Alexandra Rose arrives near the port of Liverpool, one of the passengers is discovered dead. Unfortunately for D.I. Ross and his team the case is not a straightforward one.
A bit overlong in the telling, with stilted dialogue, but overall enjoyable enough


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The Oxford Mystery by Faith Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jenny Starling has a new summer job, as cook at St. Bede's College, Oxford, to cater for the various conferences being held there. It is not long before she discovers a body. Thankfully the local police officers - D.I. Trevor Golder and D.S. Peter Trent - are happy for any help she can give.
Another enjoyable well-written cozy mystery with likeable characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher.

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The Golden Hour: A Lady Evelyn Mystery by Malia Zaidi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

April 1927 and Lady Evelyn Carlisle receives a call to urgently travel to Malma Manor, near Falkland as her cousin Gemma is concerned about her own mother. But things are not what they seem, and which are made worse by one of their neighbours at Elderbrooke Park making his home into a retreat for artistic veterans of the Great War. At an opening day, a body is discovered by Lady Evelyn and she is determined to help catch the guilty party.
Another slow placed, well-written mystery. An entertaining read with its varied and well-developed characters.
A NetGalley Book

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The Adventure of the Clapham Cook by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mrs Todd persuades Poirot to investigate the disappearance of her cook - Eliza Dunn. Another enjoyable short mystery

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Blackstone and the Burning Secret by Sally Spencer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

May 1900 and a fire in Tooley Street is soon put out by the fire service. Bt a letter is discovered on the fire engine, addressed to Inspector Blackstone demanding money or else the next one will be worse. But by following the discovered clues leads Blackstone to an unwelcome conclusion.
An enjoyable complicated well-written mystery

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Being Mrs. Bennet by Alexa Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alison Bateman, mother to five daughters, is hurt in a traffic accident and thrown back in time to her favourite novel - Pride and Prejudice - as Mrs. Bennet. Fortunately Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are away visiting - the Gardiners and at Huntsford respectively. But life becomes more difficult when they return.
Loved this new and better Mrs Bennet, and how she tries to change her family, especially the three younger girls. Though the eldest two also need changing, and Mr Bennet has always needed improvement.
Overall a very enjoyable well-written variation

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The Mystery Girl by Carolyn Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A locked room mystery. As in a study in the university town of Corinth a body is discovered. If murder how did the guitly party leave, but if suicide where is the weapon. And what possible motive could there be for either.
I got half the solution but not the motive but overall still an enjoyable mystery even if the main young female character was very, very, irritating.




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Not From the Stars by Christina Britton Conroy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The story starts in 1885 with Bertha Roundtree giving birth to a daughter Elisa. Followed by stories of the theatre and the various actors. Then it finishes with Elisa in 1903.
I did not like the writing style, it felt disjointed, not really a cohesive story but a series of shorts with a cast of superficial and unlikeable characters. Two stars because I finally got to the end. The story continues in three more books.
A NetGalley Book

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The Affair at the Victory Ball by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Who killed the young Lord Cronshaw at the Victory Ball, and was the death of his actress girlfriend that same night a coincidence. Poirot investigates
Another enjoyable short story

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An Officer's Vow by Penny Hampson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Major Nate Crawford injured in the Peninsular Campaign, believes he has nothing to look forward to. Lottie Benham has become desperate, and so has run away from what was her home but is now her cousin's home. Luckily these two meet and the Major vows to protect Lottie, but then the adventure begins.
Thankfully for me there was enough adventure and only some romance in this story. An enjoyable read which kept my interest to the conclusion. It can certainly be read as a standalone novel.
A NetGalley Book

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Purple Death by Brian L. Porter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Detective Inspector Sean Connor and his team get involved when it looks like the Richmond area has a serial killer. None of the victims seem to be connected to each other, so no motive. How will they be able to catch the killer.
An enjoyable mystery though I still found the dialogue stilted,


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A Mersey Killing: When Liverpool Rocked, And The Music Died by Brian L. Porter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In 1999 Liverpool a body is unearthed in the docklands area. Tests show that the body has been buried for about thirty years. D.I. Andy Ross and his team start their difficult case. The second part of the story starts in 1961 with the group Brendan Kane and the Planets and their search for fame and fortune
Overall I enjoyed the story though at times the dialogue felt stilted

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Her Good Opinion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Eden Forster
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After the rejection of his proposal at the Hunsford parsonage, Darcy asks for six weeks for him to change Elizabeth's opinion of him.
A bit too short and quick in the telling but otherwise an enjoyable enough story

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The Lost Mine: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Poirot tells of the case where his reward was shares in a mine in Burma. Not one of the best Poirot short stories.

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Blackstone and the House of Secrets by Sally Spencer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1899 and Blackstone with the Assistant Commissioner of the Police, Sir Roderick Todd, are sent to Russia. Unfortunately while visiting Count Rachinsky, the Prince of Wales had a Faberge egg stolen, a gift from the Tsar. But is all what it seems.
An enjoyable mystery with very likeable characters.

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The Orange-Yellow Diamond by J.S. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When in 1912 an elderly pawnbroker, Multenius, is murdered a young, poor writer, Andrew Lauriston, is accused of the crime.
Not a simple straightforward story but somewhat complicated and meandering, but overall an enjoyable mystery.

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Dead Smart: A prequel novella by Stephen Puleston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Eddie Westford, football fanatic, is found dead in the car park of the Cardiff City Football ground, his throat cut. Inspector Marco and his team investigate and find a link with the theft of luxury cars. For me an okay crime book just because it concerns two subjects I have no interest in - cars and football.

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The Mystery of the Sycamore by Carolyn Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sam Appleby, a former Governor of Massachusetts, is paying a visit to Sycamore Ridge. The Connecticut estate of an old political rival - Dan Wheeler. But when Appleby is found dead, three people confess. Can Fleming Stone determine the truth and therefore the guilty party.
An enjoyable mystery

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Seduced by a Stranger by Eve Silver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When in 1828 Catherine Weston is dismissed from his post as companion without a reference she readily accepts an offer from a childhood friend. Madeline St Aubyn, in poor health, has invited her to stay at Cairncrof Abbey. But what are the secrets that the Abbey hids, can the secrets from the past come to light.
An enjoyable Gothic mystery and romance

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The Painted Face: An intriguing Victorian mystery by Jean Stubbs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1902 and Nicholas Carradine employs ex-detective Inspector John Lintott to investigate the train accident that killed his six-year old half-sister Odetto, twenty years ago. The case take Lintott to the scene of the crash in France.
I enjoyed the mystery of this story but the books should probably be called a romance and mystery story.

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Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A tale of a gentleman and an officer by Karen V. Wasylowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel the prologue quickly jumps from 1813 and Hunsford to Part 1 and 1815 where we have the Darcys married. The story carries on then for a few more years.
What I loved about the book was the character of Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the interactions between the Colonel and Darcy. I actually liked this Darcy even though he is not a patch on the Colonel. I also liked the character of Lady Catherine.
The only thing I didn't like was in the epilogue with the passing reference to Mary Bennet - my favourite Bennet - marrying the widowed Collins -yuck and totally unnecessary.
But overall a very enjoyable story.




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The Veiled Lady: A Short Story by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lady Millicent Castle Vaughan approaches Poirot to help retrieve an indiscreet letter written by her years ago.
Enjoyable short mystery

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Sorcerer's House by Gerald Verner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The derelict Threshold House in Ferncross has a sinister reputation. Rumours that when a light is seen in the house a violent death will follow. So the story is told to American Alan Boyce as he is visiting the family of the Onslow-Whites. Then a light is seen and a body discovered. Enter Simon Gale, a larger than life character, ready to investigate.
Originally written in 1956
An interesting and enjoyable mystery.

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Worse Than Dead: An exciting British crime thriller by Stephen Puleston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On a ferry travelling from Dublin to Holyhead, the body of Chief Engineer Rosen is discovered, murdered. Knowing the killer is on the ferry is the first step, but who who among the hundreds onboard is the killer and who really is Rosen. Inspector Drake and his team investigate, but Rosen is only the first.
Enough twists and clues keep up the pace in this enjoyable crime story

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The Chocolate Box: A Short Story by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Poirot tells of a case to Captain Hastings which was for him a 'failure'. Virginie Mesnard asks Poirot to investigate the sudden death of her cousin by marriage of M. Paul Deroulard.
Another short enjoyable mystery

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Raspberry Jam by Carolyn Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Emburys seem to have a happy marriage but when Stanford Embury is found dead, suspicion falls on his wife Eunice. As he was killed in a locked set of bedrooms with access only by his wife or Aunt Abby.
An enjoyable locked room mystery but Eunice was a truly awful character of a woman.

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The Summer Nanny by Audrey J. Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bridgett has the perfect summer job, looking after a young child for a delightful couple. But for Bridgett what starts as a normal evening babysitting 18 month old Leo for Emily and Paul Cooper quickly turns into a nightmare, just after boyfriend Chris leaves.
This novella is a fast paced, well-written thriller.
Received an ARC from the author

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Devil's Kitchen: An Inspector Drake Prequel Novella by Stephen Puleston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The bodies of Jack and Denise Trainor are discovered in the mountains of Snowdonia. It looks like a murder/suicide but DI Drake is determined to follow all clues before he closes the case.
An enjoyable novella mystery

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The Diamond Pin by Carolyn Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ursula Pell of Pellbrook likes practical jokes, puzzles, and tricks. Which she plays of her two relations, Iris Clyde and Winston Bannard, and her neighbours.After a Sunday dinner Ursula goes into her private room and locks the door. Later a servant hears a scream and a shout. Once the door is broken down they find that she has been murdered. So a locked room mystery plus where are the jewels mentioned in her will.
An enjoyable mystery

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Almanack, The by Martine Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1752 and whore Tabitha Hart has been called urgently home by her mother. Unfortunately for her she is robbed on her journey home and so can only make a poor entrance to her home village of Netherlea. She arrives only to find her mother dead and she has now been assigned her mother's role as searcher of the dead. Joining writer Nat Starling they seek the truth of her mother's death.
Just couldn't take to the main characters of what really turned out to be more of a romance story and less of the mystery that I wanted to read.
A NetGalley Book

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Trouble in Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Moving to the small town of Nuala, in 1934, Inspector Shanti de Silva hopes for a more peaceful position. Unfortunately one of the plantation owners is accused of doing harm to one of his workers, and the owner is later found dead. de Silva is convinced that that man was murdered, but who had a motive.
An enjoyable well-written mystery, a good start to a new series.

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Savage Moon by Chris Simms
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a body is discovered on Saddleworth Moor, DI Spicer takes charage. But the case it not a staightforward one especially when another body is discovered with the same injuries. What could be the connection between the people and the motive.
I enjoyed the story apart from the side story of Spicer's martial problems, they didn't help with the plot and were of no interest.

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Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A select dinner party followed by a more general bridge evening goes horribly wrong for the hostess Mrs Haddington. On taking a telephone call in the Boudoir a guest at the party is found murdered. Thankfully for most of the guests they are not suspected. Inspector Hemingway is called in to investigate. Just when he believes he knows the killer another body is discovered. Killed in the same way. What could be the possible connection between the two dead people and what motive for their deaths.
Originally written in 1951.
I found this to be an enjoyable read and an interesting if slow-paced mystery.
A NetGalley Book

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Darcy and Diamonds: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Caitlin Marie Carrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel eight years have passed since the Hunsford proposal, which left Elizabeth without receiving that letter. But now there is to be a house party at Netherfield with all the married Bennet daughters and Darcy, who has finally accepted an invitation. Unfortunately for Darcy and Elizabeth there are people attending who wish to keep them apart. Can they succeed.
I really enjoyed this well-written story.

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Murder, Madness & Love by Yolanda Renee
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sarah Palmer is suspected of killing her husband butthe police have no proof to charge her.
On moving back to Alaska the killings start, but the police have no motives.
I didn't take to the character of Sarah at all, added by her doing stupid actions which seemed to put her at a greater risk, and not be helpful in the murder inquiries. For me too much emphasis on the romance aspect of the various characters rather than a mystery/crime story.

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Mr. Darcy's Darkness by J.L. Pearl
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A fast paced P&P variation taking place within a space of a few days. I did not find it especially steamy and with such a short story it did lack character development.

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The Case of the Missing Will: A Short Story by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Miss Violet March approaches Poirot for help. As stated in her late uncle's will she has one year to solve a puzzle or lose her inheritance.
Another enjoyable short mystery

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His Wicked Sins by Eve Silver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

January 1813 and Constable Henry Pugh of Shadwell Police discovers the body of the innkeeper of the Black Swan - William Trotter. But there is more bodies to discover later that year.
But is there a connection to the Burndale Academy. Elizabeth Canham arrives there as a teacher in 1828, her wages needed to help her family, only to discover that two teachers have already died, and a maid has just gone missing. And what involvement does the mysterous Griffin Fairfax have in both events.
An enjoyable Gothic romance and mystery.

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Elizabeth Bennet's Wedding: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Olivia Kane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this P&P variation it is only a few weeks until the double wedding of the elder Bennet sisters to Bingley and Darcy. So what could possible go wrong especially as Mrs Bennet has become impossible to control in the organization of the wedding. Enter the bad Lady Catherine and her demands and interference.
An enjoyable and fun (in parts) if slightly implausible story

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The Middle Temple Murder by J.S. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1912 and an investigation is started into the body found in Middle Temple, deemed to be a Mr John Marbury, recently arrived from Australia. D.S. Rathbury investigates with the help of Frank Spargo, sub-editor of the newspaper The Watchman.
An enjoyable and interesting mystery

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Tom: To Secure His Legacy by Leenie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Mansfield Park sequel, Tom Bertram has wasted his life and some of the Mansfield fortune. When coming close to dying and recovering he intends to reform and recover his losses. But he is in need of a financial advisor. Enter Faith Eldridge, but will Tom recognise Faith as the lady who saved his life. Can Tom redeem himself and save Mansfield,his legacy.
Another enjoyable well-written story in this series

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The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman: A Short Story by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dr. Hawke is visiting Poirot when his housekeeper, Miss Rider, tells him of a telephone conversation from Count Foscatini. Which leads the doctor, Poirot and Captain Hastings to the Count's residence, only to find him dead. Poirot investigates.
Another interesting mystery solved.

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Educating Callie by Emma Jayne Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The English town of Frost Ford has anigtmare seret, it is home to a serial killer. A killer wholives in plain sight. Callie has got away once, but can she escape the killer's plans again.
Wanted to read more about the serial killer's history rather than the emphasis being on the group of friends and all their social interactions, which really were not of much interest. They all seemed to be too perfect to be true and all in love with Callie. Unfortunately I did work out who the guilty party was. Overall three stars because I did enjoy a big part of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only

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A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1860 London and Jenny Holloway with her modest inheritance from Lady Helena can now have the adventure that she needs. Not the constricting life of a wife and mother. So she decides to travel to India to locate the missing, presumed dead, brother of her friend Helena. That of Giles 6th Earl of Castleton. But what of solicitor Tom Finchley, what does he want and what is his role on this adventure.
Although these characters briefly appeared in Book One of the series, it can easily be read as a standalone story.
A slow paced, well-written enjoyable romance with a hint of adventure.
A NetGalley Book

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