Watchers of the Dead by Simon Beaufort
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

December 1882 and at the opening of the Royal Court of Justice a body is discovered. Then on the opening day of a new exhibition at the Natural History Museum, another body is discovered. But this is not the last. But why the cover-up, as the Commissioner of Police is told to record them as natural deaths. So to the detriment to solving the cases Superintendent Hayes and Inspector Peters are taken off them. But they encourage newspaper reports Alec Londsdale and Hulda Frederichs to investigate, but they only have eight days, with a lot of ground to cover.
I enjoyed this mystery, the second in this well-written series, I especially liked the two main characters.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Loreticus and the Convenient Murder by J.B. Lucas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Loreticus, spymaster of the empire, is forced to return to his ancestral home. Only to discover a dead body in his home. He must discover the guilty party before he becomes the accused.
An enjoyable introduction to the series


View all my reviews

The Things We Said Today by Lise McClendon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The eldest Bennett sister Annie is getting married at the age of 55. A week long celebration has been arranged in Scotland, the home of the froom, Callum. But what can go wrong? Apart from the weather bomb, drunk sisters, an odd Frenchman and the odd staff at their lodgings.
An enjoyable well-written story, another in this series

View all my reviews

Season of Darkness by Cora Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Authors Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins are shown a body by Dickens friend Inspector Field. The body had been retrieved from the Thames, unknown, and so her death will probably go unsolved. But Dickens knows her as someone once resident in Urania Cottage, a home for fallen women. Both authors decide to investigate, helped, by Anna Marie Sesina, friend to the dead female, Isabelle Gordon.
The story is related from two points of view, Sesina and Collins.
I enjoyed this historical mystery, it was well-written, though at times a bit slow-paced, and the characters are portrayed well. Overall a good solid start to what I hope is a new series.
a NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Rust and Steam: An Elemental Web Short Story by Anne Renwick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scotland August 1884 and relations between Lady Alice Hemsworth and Mr. Benjamin Leighton have not gone well in the past.vNow they are on the same train travelling to London. Can Lady Alice redeem herself in the eyes of her spymaster. Trouble comes in the shape of German Hugh Krause. Can both of them survive the encounter.
An enjoyable fast paced short story.

View all my reviews

Archangel Hawthorne by D.M. Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 1962 and newly married couple, Joshua and Trudy Garner, are hiking in Wales. Unfortunately they are about to cross paths with a gang of thieves hiding in an isolated farmhouse.
In Sheffield DCI Hawthorne is investigating the theft of money at Grainger Forges. An investigation which leads him into conflict, not just with his superiors at work, but also the local crimes bosses.
An interesting thriller




View all my reviews

Whisper in the Night by D.K. Hood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After 25 kills the killer needs more. Lindy Rosen, 15, has had nghtmares for some nights, but her parents tell her there is no-one there. What if they are wrong. One morning her parents find her gone. Sheriff Alton leads her team in the search for her. But it seems the killer has decided to taunt Alton. Will Lindy be the only victim.
Another well-written story in this series. A fact-paced thriller with enough suspects to keep you guessing.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Deep into Dusk by Laurie Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Detective Gabriel McRay is still struggling to face the past but now woman are turning up dead in Los Angeles, with no clues. But then one woman escapes, Tara Samuels. Can she help find the guilty person.
An interesting mystery/thriller


View all my reviews

Who's Sorry Now? by Maggie Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1925 and Lady Adelaide Compton and her sister Lady Cecilia have returned to London from a trip to New York. Detective Inspector Devenand Hunter of Scotland Yard finds himself with Sergeant Wells in the middle of a murder investigation.
Lady Adelaidde and Hunter meet up again when another murder is attempted. She persuades Hunter to let her investigate the suspects of her social set.
A delightful, well-written, light-hearted cozy mystery where Lady Adelaide is helped by her ghostly husband Rupert.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

The Queen's Accomplice: A Maggie Hope Mystery by Susan Elia MacNeal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1942 London and during one of the night's blackouts an ARP warden discovers a female body. It seems that the body and the next are an reanactment of the killings of Jack the Ripper. Maggie Hope is seconded to the team of DCI Duggin who leads the investigation.
Meanwhile we also have the story of Maggie's half-sister in a Nazi prison camp, and the deployment of two SOE agents.
This is the first of the series that I have read and the only character I really liked was Duggin

View all my reviews

The Woman on the Cliff by Janice Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Roslyn Anderson is one of five students living together while attending St. Andrews University in 1988. Then Moira one of the flatmates is found murdered.
D.I. John Menzies and P.C. Innes Nevin start the investigation but a confession and a suicide halt the proceedings.
Nearly 30 years later, the past comes back to haunt everyone involved. Is there still a murderer out there and what was the motive for any person.
The story evolves about the two time periods concerned. It is a well-written interesting mystery, with some likeable and genuine portrayals of characters
Received an ARC from the publisher.

View all my reviews

Season of Malice by Marla Madison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The deaths of two men, abusers, but what is the connection. The police cannot find any between the two women in their lives. Who else could have a motive.
For me too many annoying characters doing seemingly the polices' work.

View all my reviews

The Pen of Manderby Pincher by D.M. Mitchell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When William Renshaw is nade redunfant just before Christmas his wife decides to llok for another small gift to cheer him up. She notices a new shop and buys him an empty ink bottle, a penknife and some quills.
An interesting story but I did get the twists before the end of the story

View all my reviews

His Darling Friend: A Touches of Austen Novella by Leenie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Victoria Hamilton at 23 is still not interested in marriage. But she attends the Abernathy house party at the request of her mother. Also in attendence is lifelong friend and neighbour Roger Shelton. They both decide to become matchmakers to help the other guests. But which matches will be made.
A delightful well-written romance novella


View all my reviews

The Architect of Murder by Rafe McGregor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alec Marshall, soldier and ex-policeman has returned to England from Africa partly to sort out the affairs of his sister. Ellen, a veterinary surgeon, was killed in an accident. When confronted by Ellen's friend Roberta Paterson doubts begin to surface concerning the accident. But where will his investigation lead.
An entertaining and well-written story with its detailed plotting.



View all my reviews

The Meryton Murders: A Mystery Set in the Town of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice by Victoria Grossack
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel the Darcys travel to Netherfield as Jane needs her sister. Not long after arriving one of the residents of Meryton appears to have committed suicide. But this is not the last death. Who is the guilty party.
Enjoyable story, though I look forward to actually reading the book as I think I would prefer to read rather than listen to the story.

View all my reviews

The Woman from the Blue Lias by D.M. Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Toby Turner, bookshop owner in Lyme Regis discovers the remains of a body on the beach. The skelton has been washed down from the clff face after a rain storm. But now his life changes, but is it for worse or better, when he starts seeing a female in his shop who he is convinced is the dead body from the beach. But what does it all mean.
An interesting and enjoyable story.

View all my reviews

Give Him The Ooh-la-la by Lise McClendon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christmas time has arrived and with it an engagement party for the eldest Bennett sister. Merle's lover Pascal has arrived from France but is he in New York just for her or is he on a wine fraud investigation.
A well-written enjoyable mystery, another in the series

View all my reviews

The Killer Corset: Florence Nightingale Comedy Mystery Series ~ Book 2 by Barbara Silkstone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1839 and Florence Nightingale, with the two Thockmortens are called to Buckingham Palace urgently. But while there a lady-in-waiting is killed. Poppy Throckmorten, with Granny and Florence investigate.
An enjoyable story


View all my reviews

Uncivil Defense by M. Ruth Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

May 1943 and Maggie Sullivan has a new client. Milo Thompson believes he is being followed. Then hours later, Dayton has just experienced its first practice blackout drill, and a murdered body has been found with her name and address in his pocket. It is not long before Maggie has quite a few suspects.
An enjoyable well-written mystery with its lovable characters



View all my reviews

Tom Wasp and the Newgate Knocker by Amy Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1863 and chimney sweep Tom Wasp has visited his friend Eliza Hogg in Newgate Prison where she is due to be hung for the murder of her husband. As he leaves she gives him a piece of paper. This turns out to be a pawn ticket for an old sailor doll. But what do Tom and Ned discover inside and what troubles will it bring them.
Another enjoyable well-written mystery.

View all my reviews

Blood On The Stone by Jake Lynch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

17th March 1681 and King Charles II has arrived in Oxford. But Oxford is a place of conflict and tensions and soon a Member of Parliament is found dead. It is the duty of Luke Sandys, Chief Officer of the Oxford Bailiffs, to investigate, with the help of his deputy Robshaw.
The story contains background information on the daily lifes of Oxford inhabitants which for me enhances the mystery.
An enjoyable well-written story with a varied cast of characters, likeable and not so.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

The Meyersons of Meryton by Mirta Ines Trupp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This P&P variation begins when Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are both soon to be married. When a new family arrive in Meryton, the Meyersons, to administer to the growing number of Jews in the area. The primary and official reason, but unofficially?
An enjoyable and interesting well-written story.

View all my reviews

She Will Rescue You by Chris Clement-Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr Mia Langley works for the the National Crime Agency as a criminal forensic psychologist and is investigating a series of crimes which she believes are somehow linked. Murders and assaults, but how or why she as yet is unable to detemine the connections. But what is Ellie Grant's role is all of this.
An intriguing and enjoyable well-written story with its interesting chatacters.
Received an ATC from the publisher

View all my reviews

The Girl in the Empty Dress by Lise McClendon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It all started with a walking holiday with Merle and her Bennett sisters, plus friend Gillian Sargeant, around Merle's holiday home in Malcouziac, Dordogne. Then the dog was found and the trouble began.
An enjoyable well-written mystery with these likeable Bennett sisters.

View all my reviews

Courage Begins: A Ray Courage Mystery Novella by R. Scott Mackey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Former college professor Ray Courage is now working as a private eye for California Farmers Insurance Company. On his first day they give him a cold case to re-investigate. Two years previously Tiffanie Bate was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning just months after her husband insured her life foe $1.5 million.
An enjoyable well-written novella



View all my reviews

Mulligan's Map: a chilling short story by D.M. Mitchell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1821 and several convicts escape from Sarah Island, their escape following the map held by Mulligan. I dodn't care for any of the characters but it was an interesting story.

View all my reviews

Black Death by M.J. Trow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

September 1592 and Kit Marlowe receives a letter from an old enemy, Richard Greene, imploring Kit to investigate his coming death. Events are compounded with the threat of the plague, but with the closure of the theatres it means Kit has the time to investigate. But when other murders occur what is the connection between then all. But has any one missed Tom Stedd the stage manager of the Rose Theatre.
An entertaining and enjoyable read, I really liked this story in the series.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

An Unwelcome Guest by Emily Organ
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In November 1884 Penny Green with other newspaper writers are invited to the newly finished Hotel Tempesta. For dinner and an overnight stay. A hotel with seemingly a cursed history. So does it come as a surprise that the next morning two people are found dead. Various motives are investigated by the policee including Inspector James Blakely, with the help of Penny.
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this series with its delightful characters

View all my reviews

The Leaden Heart by Chris Nickson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leeds, 1899. How can the suicide of Charlie Davies, brother of Inspector Billy Reed now of Whitby, previously Leeds and Tom Harper's team, lead to such a large scale investigation. Leading to corrution, intimidation and murder and links to a company entitled the North Leeds Company. And what of the home burglaries in the area. Superintendent Tom Harper leads his team in the searching out of the truth and the guilty parties.
Easily read as a standalone novel.
An enjoyable well-written addition to this series, with its well-rounded characters.
a NetGalley Book


View all my reviews

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

September 1896, and the Hartford Women's College has a new Lady Principal. But events turn serious when at the opening of the college's new exhibition donated items go missing. Then the donar himself is killed. Lt Capshaw investigates but Concordia finds herself involved especially with the links to her father's past.
Another enjoyable and interesting well-written mystery with its likeable characters.

View all my reviews

The Marx Sisters: A Kathy Kolla and David Brock Mystery by Barry Maitland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jerusalem Lane, London, is ripe for re-development. But does this have anything to do with the discovery of the body of Meredith Winterbottom, one of its residents. Detective Sergeant Kolla is seconded to David Brock, Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard to help him investigate. But this is not the last body found.
An enjoyable and interesting mystery with some good well-drawn characters.

View all my reviews

The Mysteries of Pemberley by Amy D'Orazio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P&P variation disease has swept through Meryton, leaving behind the deaths of Mrs Bennet, Lydia, Jane and Charles Bingley. On her deathbed Jane asks Elizabeth to care for young Charles Bingley.
Four years later Mr Darcy comes to Longbourn to claim his ward. Arrangements result in young Charles and Elizabeth staying at Pemberley. But what secrets does the place hold, what is Darcy hiding. Elizabeth's imaginations runs away with her but can she come to the right conclusion or will she mistake Darcy's character.
An enjoyable well-written story.

View all my reviews

Ashes and Bone by David Andrew McGlone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back in 1998, Dr Andrews helped the police and P.C. Peter Marlin catch Mark Rennie, a serial killer. When in the present day a series of seeminly random killings appear D.C.I. Marlin contacts Dr. Andrews for his help. Concurrently there are a series of prostitute killings. In this the same serial killer.
A very enjoyable well-written crime story. Look forward to the next in the series.

View all my reviews

Mischief in St. Tropez by C.G. Oster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Pettifer and her companion, Dory Sparks, have spent the last 18 months on the Cote D’Azur. With it being 1940 there is the threat of war approaching and affecting them. But when at a soiree Livinia Fellingworth finds a friend murdered, Dory decides to investigate.
An enjoyable well-written cozy mystery.

View all my reviews

The Bermondsey Poisoner by Emily Organ
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London in 1884, brings the marriage of Inspector James Blakely closer. But in Bermondsey a man is discovered to have been poisoned and his wife no longer in the area. But the case is not as straightforward as it at first seemed. Inspector Blakely with the help of news-reporter Penny Green do their best to solve the case.
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this series, with its cast of likeable characters.

View all my reviews

Murder Solstice by Keith Moray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dunshiffin Castle has been bought and made the headquaters of the Daisy Institute. Scholarly research group or a cult? But Finley McNab, museum curator, is suspicious. Inspector McKinnon are faced with investigating, some deaths, but are their suicide,accidents or murder.
Another enjoyable well-written read in this series. Also helped with having some very likeable and well-drawn characters

View all my reviews

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

Jenny Starling has been employed to do the catering for the annual cricket grudge match between Much Rousham and Steeple Clinton. Though busy she does pick up quite a bit of gossip which might be useful when one of the players is found dead. But then another body is discovered. She finds herself helping Detective Inspector Laurence Causon in discovering the facts
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this series. Jenny is certainly a likeable character, and the rest of the characters are certainly well described. The book can be read as a standalone story.
I received an ARC from the publisher

View all my reviews

Death in the Devil's Acre by Anne Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1887 and Inspector Pitt is called out to a crime scene in Devil's Acre - a body of a man, emasculated. Only to find out that this is not the first victim, and will not be the last. What could possible connected all this different men and what is the motive.
Once again it is up to Pitt with the help of his wife and sister-in-law, Lady Ashworth to discover the truth.
Another enjoyable mystery in this series which can be read as a standalone story.

View all my reviews

Missed You In Church: A Hunter Jones Mystery by Charlotte Moore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One Sunday morning, while at church Sheriff Sam Bailey responds to a call, the death of Noreen Bremmer in her own home. Surprisingly there seem to be a few suspects, but not many.
An enjoyable mystery

View all my reviews

Murder in Vail by Judy Moore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Christmas is apporoaching and time for the Braddock family and spouces to arrive in Vail to celebrate. The ery rich mother informs her children that she will be changing her will after New Year, giving most of it away to charity. This of course brings on the first death.
An enjoyable mystery

View all my reviews

Callander Square by Anne Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1883 and two gardeners are digging up the beds in Callander Square and discover two bodies of new born babies. Inspector Pitt is called in to investigate. Meanwhile Lady Ashworth persuades her sister Charlotte, wife to Pitt to help in the investigation. Secrets are everywhere in the Square but who are guilty.
An enjoyable Victorian mystery story with likeable characters.

View all my reviews

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

August 1899 and widowed Lady Frances hopes to spenda fewquiet months in town with her sister Lily, and her protegee Miss Charlotte Deaver. Then she is informed of the death of a friend, Mary Archer. Mrs Archer has been mrdered. George Hazelton, her neighbour has been asked to investigate the suspicions of blackmail by Mary. To this end he recruits Frances to help.
An enjoyable well-written mystery, quite a fast paced story, with it lively feel, with some delightful characters.
A NetGalley Book


View all my reviews

Dig Two Graves by Keith Nixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ten years ago Detective Sergeant Solomon Gray's life very quickly disintegrated with the disappearance of his six year old son. He has never stopped looking for him. Now he is called out when a 16 year old Nick Buckingham has fallen from fifth floor of an apartment block. But what if there is more to the suicide than at first seems. This will not be the last death.
An interesting story which also tells us the story of Gray's life over the last ten years


View all my reviews

Dear Jane: The final book in the Highbury Trilogy, inspired by Jane Austen's 'Emma'. by Allie Cresswell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this final part of the Emma inspired trilogy we have the story of orphan Jane Fairfax and her life with the Campbells. Then she meets Frank Churchill at Weymouth and their intertwined history continues the story.
A very enjoyable well-written story

View all my reviews

Harm None by Will North
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In Penwith, Cornwall at a dig lead by Professor Bradley Hunter, discover a body. Unfortunately for them it is of a body only recently dead. CID Detective Sergeant Morgan Davies is sent to investigate.
An interesting story though I am not too sure about the occult aspects

View all my reviews

Forevermore by Jim Musgrave
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1865 and Detective Pat O'Malley is living in Edgar Allan Poe's cottage when he comes across a note. The result of this is that Malley decides to investigate Poe's death in Baltimore 1949.
An interesting mystery



View all my reviews

Lady Rample Steps Out by Shéa MacLeod
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lady Rample at the end of her year of mourning in 1932, for her husband is taken out by her best friendCharles Raynott, to a jazz club. But it is not long before a murder occurs and she decides to investigate.
An enjoyable cozy mystery


View all my reviews

The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Paynter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This re-read of a P&P variation concerns the life of Mary Bennet. Not close to the two oldest or the two youngest Bennet sisters, Mary feels her isolation, compounded by her distance from her parents. We see the society of Longbourn and Meryton from another viewpoint as Mary's feelings, hopes and her dreams are revealed to us. From her early life, through the story of P&P, and then several years beyond.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written read of a story from one of the overlooked characters from Pride and Prejudice.

View all my reviews

A Knife for Harry Dodd by George Bellairs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When the Nicholls, mother and daughter, receive a phone call from Harry Dodd to collect him, they at first believe his is drunk but later discover that he has been stabbed and is now dead. But why would anyone want him dead.
Inspector Littlejohn and Cromwell of Scotland Yard are called in to investigate.
An enjoyable well-written mystery, with some twists to get to the solution but also contains a set of unlikeable people called the Dodds' family. With an easy to read writing style.
Original written in 1953
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews