Without Conscience by David Stuart Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1942 London, and Harryboy Jenkins is AWOL and arrives in London. Rachel Howells has left Wales and her boring life ready for excitment. On meeting Jenkins she believes she has found it. But trouble is coming her way. Hawke has been employed to find out by Sandra Riley if he husband, Walter, is having an affair. Unfortunately this only brings trouble to Hawke. But Peter Blake is having he own trouble down in Devon.
An interesting and enjoyable thriller and crime story

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A Fatal Secret by Faith Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

April 1961 and the police are called out to Briar's Hall. An Easter Hunt in the grounds for the local children has resulted in one boy - Eddie Proctor - gone missing. Unfortunately his body is discovered. His father unhappy with the Coroner's verdict asks the Squire to intervene, resulting in Dr Clement Ryder and probationary WPC Trudy Loveday investigating. What secrets with they uncover, but what about the personal lives of Ryder and Loveday.
The book is easily read as a standalone story but I would recommend the whole series.
Another enjoyable well-written mystery in this delightful series, with its very likeable main two characters.
A NetGalley Book

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The Worst Crime in the World: A Father Brown Mystery by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Captain Musgrave wants a loan based on his future prospects. So lawyer Granby and Father Brown journey to meet Sir John Musgrave to confirm the details. Sir John states that yes he is to inherit, but he will never meet him.
An interesting little mystery

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Strange Little Girl by John Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI John Blizzard is called to Hafton city cemetery as a grave has been desecrated - a grave of the victims of an unsolved case from fifteen years ago. Using this act as a pretext, Blizzard opens up the cold case as he is convinced that the father is the guilty person. But this case only scratches the surface of the crimes in the town.
An interesting and enjoyable well-written crime story with some believeable characters.


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A Deadly Deception by Tessa Harris
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It is now July 1889 and eight months have gone since the Ripper's last victim, Mary Jane Kelly. But now another body has been found in Whutechapel. Constance Piper with her psychic ability, her guardian angel, dead Emily Tindall, and police detective Thaddeau Hawkins are all involved determining the connection of the murders to the Fenians.
I still couldn't take to Constance, and the paranormal aspects of this series. I am sure many readers will love this series but it is not for me.
A NetGalley Book



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The Vanishing of Vaudrey: A Father Brown Mystery by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sir Arthur Vaudrey left his home to walk to the village. But he never returns.
One of the more interesting mysteries.

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Comes the Dark by David Stuart Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1941 and during the blackouts a murderer goes about killing prostitutes. But personal matters lead him into the case, and into the investigation of the Britannia Club. A right wing organisation based in London.
An enjoyable well-written story

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Air Raid: A World War Two Mystery by Eileen Enwright Hodgetts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England, 1952 and lawyer Toby Whitby arrives at work to find one of the partners, Robert Alderton, dead. Unfortunately he now has to take his place at a meeting with the Earl of Southwold. All he would need to do is verify that certain documents are legal. But nothing is ever simple or straighforward and that is true in this case. Can the truth be discovered.
An interesting and enjoyable well-written mystery story with its foundations in the Second World War.
Received a copy from Voracious Reader.



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Alibi: World War Two Murder Mystery by Eileen Enwright Hodgetts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ralph Pemberton, a married man and father has a weak heart and has been accused of looting. A hanging offence in the time of war (1940). The nearest help is an articled clerk named Toby Whitby. Ralph refuses to give an alibi for the time, but Toby seems determined to investigate.
An enjoyable and interesting crime novella.

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A Woman Scorned by Suzanne Downes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While Lazarus and Constance travel to Italy, the schemes of the Pardoes and Countess Vanessa Kokic continue. But what of Elspeth Foxcroft and her reconciliation with the husband that had committed her to the asylum. Can Lazarus return in time to help Stonier.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery

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A Queen's Traitor by Samantha Burnell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Tudor based story continues with Mary on the throne and Princess Elizabeth in danger. Can Richard Fitzwarren and his elder brother Jack save her. Especially as both are recovering from life-threatening wounds and what of the rest of the Fitzwarren family.
An enjoyable thriller with its likeable characters.

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The Actor and the Alibi: A Father Brown Mystery by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Father Brown is called to the theatre to hopefully entice an actress from her room. While in a seemingly locked room a man is killed in the theatre, but all the actors are on stage. Can Father Brown determine the who and how.
An enjoyable short story

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The Long Dead by John Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An archaeological investigation at a WW2 prisoner of war camp outside of Hafton in northern Enbgland, discovers 16 bodies in an unmarked graves. The forensics conclude that 15 died during a flu epidemic just after the end of the war, but the 16th was much more recent.
DCI John Blizzard and DS David Colley lead their team in the investigation.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written mystery, with a bunch of likeable characters. A very good start to this series and I look forward to reading the next.

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The Song of the Flying Fish by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Peregine Smart is always asking people as a joke if they have seen his goldfish. But is stealing by spiritual means still theft. He might just find out.
An enjoyable short mystery

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Jane and the Visitors from Pemberley by Margaret Lynette Sharp
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel it would seem that Jane and Charles Bingley have produced a new version of Lydia with the same determination at the age of 15 to travel to Brighton to visit with her married friend. Will the event turn out exactly the same.
Unfortunately in this short story the Bingley come across as very weak willed and bad parents.


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The Twelve Apostles by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Whilst driving Verity Ryder witnesses the death of a clergyman. He lasts words are -The Twelve Apostles. Is there a connection to her godson Adam Greenwood and his apostles spoons. When a body, dead some 30 years, is discovered DCI Webb is brought in to investigate.
An enjoyable mystery

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The Tudor Heresy by Samantha Burnell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1548 and Thomas Seymour has started his machinations to be the power behind the throne after the death of Henry VIII, as his own brother is proclaimed Lord Protector.
An interesting short story introducing Richard Fitzwarren.

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The Clockmaker by Jane A. Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1929 and Joseph Levey has disappeared. Disappeared when travelling from his fiancée's home in Lincoln to London. It has been several weeks and his uncle Abraham Levey approaches a policeman he knows, Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone. Going over the investigation is all that he and Sergeant Mickey Hitchens can really do until the expected body is discovered. And eventually it is.
But is the investigation as straightforward as he initially thought.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written mystery story, with some really good well-developed characters. Although the fourth in the series it can easily be read as a standalone book. Another good story in this delightful series.
A NetGalley Book


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Forests of the Night by David Stuart Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1940 and for Johnny Hawke for war is already over. The ex-policeman and invalid decides to become a private detective. Life is not going well until the Palfreys approach him to find their missing daughter.
But the case leads to murder. His life becomes complicated when he gets involved with the runaway Peter.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written read. A good solid start to this series.


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Exceeding Expectations, Mary Bennett's Story by Patricia Shurn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel six years have passed since all her sisters had been married. Mary Bennet is offered her chance to escape Longbourn. It is arranged that she will accompany Miss Margaret Dashwood on a tour of the Continent.
But now it is time for Mary to come home as her father is very ill. But what can the future hold for her. This is her story.
This is a re-read and I again enjoyed the tale, the familiar characters, and the introduction of new characters.
But I still I feel though that the book would have been improved with better proof reading as I noticed some misspelt words, wrong words or names used, and a name change. And Bennet obviously spelt wrong

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Nowhere To Hide by Stephen Puleston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sergeant Jim Finch, after a consultative meeting, takes Inspector Drake to meet someone relating to the previous meeting. But on arriving at her home they find that she has been brutally murderered.
Does this have anything to do with her previous involvement with the drug scene in the area or her latest activity of trying to monitor the scene. But will this be the last murder.
A very enjoyable read. It is an interesting police procedural and a well-written story, with a cast of varied well-developed characters.
Received an ARC from the author

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The Corpse Played Dead by Georgina Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

May 1759 and prostitute Lizzie Hardwicke is asked by Inspector William Davenport to assist with his inquiries. Theatre manager David Garrick has approached his friend John Fielding concerning incidents that have been happening at his theatre. Fielding sends one of hs detectives to investigate. Davenport wants Lizzie to work undercover as a seamstress while looking into these incidents. But events get worse when she discovers a murdered body.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery with its interesting characters. Hopefully any romance between the two main characters will not occur, and would also be unbelievable, and the series will concentrate on the mystery aspects.
A NetGalley Book

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The Man with Two Beards: A Father Brown Mystery by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A story told by Father Brown to Professor Crake, a criminologist - when a man kills a stranger.
Enjoyable short story

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Fixing Emma: A Jane Austen Diverstion by Riana Everly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Priya is reading Emma but is concerned the way the story is unfolding. Expressing her thoughts aloud changes the story, but it all unfortunately goes wrong. Can she get the story back.
An enjoyable modern story

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The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London in the 1850s where the story of various characters are played out. Of Iris and her once beautiful sister Rose working in the Doll Factory. But Iris aspires for more, to become an artist. Then she meets the pre-Raphaelite artist Louis Frost.
Silas, a taxidermist and collector. When he meets Iris he cannot forget her, and becomes obsessed to the point that he must own her.
But what of Albie, the pickpocket, and his sister.
A dark gothic historical fiction tale of Victorian London. A well-written story with its interesting characters.
A NetGalley Book



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With a Little Help from the Colonel by Jannet Doe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While listening to the boring sermon of Collins, the Colonel aims to help Darcy by talking to Elizabeth.
An enjoyable short Pride and Prejudice story

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A Spice of Madness by Suzanne Downes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is now 1864 and Constance and Danby Lazarus have been married awhile. Constance feeling lonely tries to contact an old childhood friend, Elspeth, now herself married, to a Clement Foxcroft, and a mother. But problems arise and Constance needs Lazarus' help. But he has his own problems, and crimes to solve, at work.
At times I did want Constance to be more sensible, and for the gentlemen to be more beliving in the statements of the ladies, and this did make it frustrating at times though I suppose reflected the Victorian times.
But overall I enjoyed this well-written mystery and liked the main characters, and the rest of the characters seemed to be believable

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Pride, Prejudice and Poison by Elizabeth Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The meeting of the Northern Branch of the Jane Austen Society in Kirbymoorside is on its tea break. But for an unfortunate member it will be their last drink. Poison is the method of murder. D.I. Peter Hemming and Sergeant Rashid Jarral are called in to investigate. But bookshop owner Erin Coleridge decides to undertake her own investigation.
Wanted to read this being a fan of Jane Austen and it was an easy and well-written cozy mystery.
But I didn't really take to Erin or why it was decided she was a 'crime expert' or why anybody would answer her prying questions.
A NetGalley Book

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A Shroud for Delilah by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kate Romilly has left her husband believing him to be unfaithful. She has moved to the town of Broadmninister, which is convenient for her son's schooling, and she has a new job. Unfortunately there is a killer targeting divorced woman. Will she be next. DCI Webb investigates.
Unfortunately I didn't really find Kate an interesting character, and I did determine who the killer was quite quickly.

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A Prisoner of Privilege by Rosemary Rowe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

194 AD and Libertus is summoned by his patron, Marous Aurelius Setimus, to a meeting in the public baths. He informs Libertus that a distant cousin, ex-Praetoriar, and presumed spy will soon be arriving in Glevum to investigate reports of treason. While at the baths, the money changer, Josephus Loftus wished to speak to Libertus. But before they can arrange a meeting Josephus is found dead. Libertus decides to investigate but it would seem that the guilty party is more intelligent that he thought, and Libertus makes a serious mistake.
An engaging well-written story, which although the 18th in the series I found it easy enough to read as a standalone story. It was quite a slow paced novel, and so it took awhile before I became involved in the story.
A NetGalley Book


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The Shirt: A Francis Bacon mystery short story by Anna Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1587, and Trotter the executor of the will of Lady Thursby has found a body in her old home. He calls on Francis Bacon for help. The only evidence to the identity of the body and the events that preceded his death is the shirt he is wearing.
An enjoyable and well-written short mystery

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Match for Mary Bennet: Can a serious young lady ever find her way to love? by Eucharista Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel which concentrates on Mary Bennet, though the lives of other Bennets are included. I admit that Mary, with the Colonel, are my two favourite characters. This story is where Mary learns of her mistakes concerning her family and spends her time mainly with her two older sisters at their estates. I enjoyed reading about these, and the new characters added to the story. I found the style of writing very easy to read.
This is a re-read of the book and on the whole I enjoyed the story again. Was there anything I didn't like - the sub-plot concerning the Colonel and who he married. I always hope that he and Mary will marry. But also at times the religious overtones, which is probably not surprising as it is written by a Franciscan nun.

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The Mirror of the Magistrate by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

James Bagshaw while walking out one evening with a friend hears shots from a garden. On entering he finds the owner, Sir Humphrey Gwyner, dead. A local, poet Osric Orm is suspected of the crime.
An interesting short mystery

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The secret of Father Brown - Short Story by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While visiting Flambeau in Spain, Father Brown is asked by a neighbour the secret to his investigative skills.
Enjoyable enough short story

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Death at the Devil's Tavern by Deryn Lake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1755 John Rawlings and his friend Samuel Swann are celebrating at the Devil's Tavern. During the night his sleep is disturbed, and discovers a body. A body that has been retrieved from the Thames. His curiosity gets the better of him and he examines the corpse. He identifies it as Sir William Hartfield, the bridegroom who was suppose to have married earlier that morning.
He is requested by Fielding to investigate the death.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery

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The Hit by Michal Hartstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 2011 and one lunchtime a motrocylists stops outside a trendy cafe and kills Kobi Ozri, a former criminal, and now a police informer. Unfortunately an innocent female, Shirley Navon, is also killed, and a cafe worker seriously injured.
As Kobi was an informer for Hadas Levinger, she is called in to lead the investigation.
An interesting police procedural story

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The Ghost of Gideon Wise: A Father Brown Mystery by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Three businessmen are killed on the same night. Three bolshevists are suspected. But is all what it seems. Father Brown investigates and explains.
An interesting little mystery

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The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy by Regina Jeffers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A P&P sequel where not many months after Darcy's marriage to Elizabeth Bennet he is informed of his father's cousins death - Samuel Darcy and of a share in the inheritance of the estate.
They travel to Dorset to find that Samuel Darcy's body has disappeared and another body found on the grave.
But then more bodies are found, and some of Samuel's treasures are lost and found. With the help of Colonel Fitzwilliam can the mystery be solved.
The aspect I didn't really care for was the interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth, and how wonderful everyone thinks she is which was for me too much.
An enjoyable re-read of this mystery made more delightful as the Colonel was more than a supporting role.

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The Doom Murders by Brian O'Hare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI Jim Sheehan and his team investigate when prominant Catholic figures are murdered. Not only murdered, but naked and displayed as strange shapes.
An enjoyable and interesting well-written murder mystery

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The Quaker by Liam McIlvanney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Glasgow, 1969 and DCI George Cochrane and his team have been investigating 'The Quaker' case. The deaths of three young woman with no discernible motive or connection to each other. With no suspects D.I. Duncan McCormack is brought in to access the situation and recommend closure of the case. But another victim is discovered.
An interesting and enjoyable well-written crime novel, with some fascinating characters. A very good solid start to this new series. I look forward to the next.
A NetGalley Book



In the grip of the worst winter for years, the city is brought to its knees by a killer whose name fills the streets with fear: The Quaker. He’s taken his next victim — the third woman from the same nightclub — and dumped her in the street like rubbish.

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The doom of the darnaways by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The curse of the Darnaways, which is enacted every seventh generation has finally arrived. The new heir from Australia has arrived and is expected to marry Miss Darnaway, but if he does the curse will strike.
An interesting little mystery

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The Pursuit of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Novel by Pamela Mingle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel the story begins three years after the end of Pride and Prejudice where we find Kitty and Mary still unmarried.
But Mary has changed, and when once again Lydia and Wickham cause a scandal they are both sent to visit the Bingleys. Where Kitty is re-introduced to the gentleman she believes wants to marry her. But what about Mary. Some new characters are introduced into this lovely story.
A delightful well-written story, an enjoyable re-read.

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Old Bones by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

DCI Bill Slider due to his previous case is now out of favour with his superiors so when some bones are discovered by a garden contractor under a shed, the case is given to him and his team. The bones are determined to have been buried about twenty years previously and belong to a young female.
This is the 19th book in the series and unfortunately there were a lot of references to the previous case. This story would have been much better without those as I believe that it slowed the pace of this story. I also didn't find any of the characters appealing.
A NetGalley Book




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The Dagger with Wings: A Father Brown Mystery by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mr Aylmer before he married adopted a young boy John Strake. Then his marriage produced three sons who on his death contested the will that left everything to Strake, and won. Then the two eldest brothers died, and the youngest Arnold demanded police protection as he knew that Strake was coming for him like his brothers. The Police Medical officer asks Father Brown to talk to him to access his mental health.
An interestng story.

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Dressed for Death by Julianna Deering
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's the 1930s and Madeline and Drew Farthering have been invited to a Regency era house party. This will be at the home of the parents of Talbot Cummins, an old Oxford classmate. But not all goes to plan as a death occurs, and this will not be the last.
An enjoyable cozy mystery, with a few Austen quote to compliment the era of the party though I didn't care much for the religious references.

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Death Comes to Dartmoor by Vivian Conroy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After their adventure in London it has been agreed that Merula Merriweather needs a rest so she travels with Lord Raven Royston to the mysterious Dartmoor. Aiming to exchanging the air of Victorian London for the fresh air and peace of Dartmoor. While staying woth the friend, Charles Oaks, and fellow zoologist, who has a collection of interesting and rare species that Raven is interested in studying.
But all is not well with his friend or the people of the area and soon a body is discovered.
An added complication is that the area has a special meaning to Merculas' past, a past that is hidden from her.
Although the second in the series it can easily be read as a standalone story.
I enjoyed this well-written cozy mystery and liked the characters and not just the two main ones. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
A NetGalley Book

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Death at the Opera by John Gano
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After a month of touring the The Floria Tosca Grand Opera Company have arrived to give a performance at Bolitho Court. A body is soon discovered but will this be the last.
I really didn't take to these characters, which is unfortunate because it took nearly to the middle of the book for the first death and by then I was bored with their behaviour.

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White Russian by J.A. Konrath
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Former cop Jack Daniels with her husband Phneas Trott with their daughter are now living under a new identity. Until Harry McGlade coming calling with some disturbing, and welcome news. Leaving her family they are off on a hunt.
An interesting thriller

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Murder in the Mill-Race by E.C.R. Lorac
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr Raymond Ferens and his wife Anne move to Milham, North Devon, mainly for his health. But all is not tranquil and calm as first appears, and Ferens has his suspicions why. Not too many months later Sister Monica, warden of the children's home called Gramarye is found dead, presumably drowned. When the local police make no headway, Scotland Yard is called in, and Chief Inspector Macdonald and D.I. Reeves arrive.
Although the detectives appears in other books by this author this is a standalone story.
An enjoyable well-written mystery, another by this author, with some well-devloped characters.
Originally written in 1952.
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A Troublesome Woman by Suzanne Downes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1862 Inspector Danby Lazarus is dining with his Sergeant, Tom Stonier, and his wife Meg when they are called out to a suspicious death. The death of shop girl Mollie Waters. The doctor believes she may have been poisoned and the police continue their investigation on that premise. Meanwhile Lord Allingham calls them to Havering Hall because his daughter has gone missing and wants to keep this quiet so as not to harm her reputation. Unfortunately relations between Lazurus and Allingham are to put it mildly very bad.
Then another death occurs.
An enjoyable well-written mystery with its likeable characters. Although I did work out the guilty party it did not distract from the story. A very good start to the series and I look forward to the next.

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