Witness for Wendy by M.K. Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twenty years ago actress Wendy Knight on the new soap The Village disappears. In the present day scriptwriter and mother-to-be Angie Bearing, bored with her writing on the daytime soap, starts to write the story of the fictional character Wendy. Until she realises that Wendy actually existed.
An interesting read.


View all my reviews

Kiss the Girls by Pete Brassett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dan moves into his council flat and befriends on of his neighbours - Stanley Wilkins. Soon we have the story of Stan's life from when he returned to London in 1946 from fighting in the war. But then he finds that the women he meets either disppoint him, or annoy him.
An interesting crime story.

View all my reviews

The Woman in the Veil by Laura Joh Rowland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1890 London. The crime scene photograhers of Sarah Bain, Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O'Reilly are sent by the Daily World to the banks of the Thames, where a female body has been found. Sarah soon realises that it she is still alive and is rushed to hospital. When she finally wakes up she has amnesia. Thankfully due to the newspaper article three viable possiblities present themselves as to her identify, but which is the correct one. But the investigation is still ongoing into her attack, and the trio soon find themselves in trouble.
Told from Sarah's point of view, which didn't really help the pacing of the story, and is the main character which I can't seem to take to. But this is an enjoyable enough Victorian mystery.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

The Continental Gentleman by Issy Brooke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cordelia, Lady Cornbrook is staying at her Surrey estate, Clarfields, when she receives an anonymous letter wishing her ill. But she is not the only one, old foe Hugo Hawke, is renting a house nearby and he also has received a letter. But it is nether of them that is found dead. Lady C is determined to search out the truth.
Another well-written and enjoyable Victorian mystery in this series.

View all my reviews

Daughters of Disguise by Issy Brooke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cordelia, Lady Cornbrook has decided on a holiday, to the far flung foreign country of Wales, in fact Aberystwyth. It doesn't take her long to be embroiled in a murder investigation. A murder that the town council say is an accident, but she has the help of the main constable, Frank Evans.
An enjoyabe cozy mystery story

View all my reviews

Persuading Miss Mary: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Leenie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation it was not an auspicious start the first meeting of Reginald Arthur Fitzwilliam, Viscount Westonbury and Mary Bennet. But being used to being flattered Westonbuty believes he can change the opinion Mary has of him. But Mary has standards which he has failed to live up to. What is a gentleman to do.
The story continues not just of Mary but also to a lesser extent of Lydia. But can either brother or sister have their happy endings.
Who can not love the Fitzwilliam family, all four of them, such lovely well-drawn characters. Both Mary and Lydia are enchanting ladies.
This is another enjoyable and delightful well-written story in this series.


View all my reviews

The Scent of Murder by Felicity Young
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1913 East Sussex. Bones discovered in a dried out river bed are determined by Dr Dody McCleland to be less than ten years old, of a female and one that was murdered. Unfortunaely for Tristram Slater, finder of the bones, not what he was hoping for. Dody persuades Chief Inspector Matthew Pike to investigate.
For me not enough of a mystery, too much social welfare diatribe.

View all my reviews

A Necessary Killing by Paul Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1579. Doctor William Constable is now in Plymouth awaiting the sail of ships to the New World. Where he will be away for two years. Then his friend, Captain Charles Wicken, who had previously saved his life is accused of the murder of a son of a merchant. William looks for evidence to prove his innocence. But information found is delaying the sailing of the fleet.
A well-paced story which is a highly enjoyable historical mystery and thriller, with a cast of well-drawn characters,
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Arrivals and Arrests by Diana Xarissa
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Fenella Woods has just arrived in Douglas, Isle of Man, from America, having inherited her Aunt Mona'a flat. But it doesn't take long before she discovers two bodies. Inspector Robinson investigates. While the ghost of Aunt Mona believes Fenella should do her own investigation
A lightweight cozy mystery

View all my reviews

State of Treason by Paul Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1578. Doctor William Constable, physician and an astrologer, is ordered to a meeting with Sir Francis Walsingha,. Walsingham is the Queen Elizabeth I's spymaster. Here he is told that he will help John Foxe is solving the puzzle of a cabinet containing an astrological chart and coded message. Leading to the Astrological Conspiracy.
An interesting and enjoyable historical Tudor thriller, with its well-drawn characters. A very good start to the series which kept my interest right to the end.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

The Lord Have Mercy  by Shelley Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Life continues in this English village, as Doctor Robert Mansbridge and his wife Editha, finally become accepted, more so the doctor than his wife. But then how quickly people can turn against him when Editha is found dead.
An interesting story
Originally written in 1967

View all my reviews

Laid In Earth by Graham Brack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hanus Himl, gardener in a municpal park discovers a body in one of the flower beds. But this dead woman was not the only body dumped in there, as there are traces of a body having been once under her. But why would someone dump a body and remove the previous one. Especially in what was the notorious Red House, location of the StB (the Prague old security force). Captain Josef Slonsky and his newly expanded team investigate.
Another delightful and well-written, and well-paced story in this series with its hints of humour. The story certainly holds your attention to the end.
A NetGalley Book



View all my reviews

The Painted Doll Affair by Angus MacVicar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A cryptic message received from Scliffy Gallagher, his confidential informant, that an assassination will occur in the Painted Doll village before the end of September leads P.I. and freelance journalist Bruce LcLintock and his wife Mary Jo to Pittendall. Where they try to unravel the message.
An enjoyable well-written mystery with its likeable main characters.
Originally written in 1973

View all my reviews

In The House Of Secrets And Lies by Issy Brooke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1846. A politician has been poisoned and Florence Fry has been arrested. As the daughter of Lady Cordelia's butler she feels compelled to investigate and find the real guilty party.
An enjoyable cozy mystery, though I did at times find the character of Lady C somewhat frustrating.

View all my reviews

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

As Christmas approaches, Nuala is visted by the Count and Countess Arcanti, the family of Clarence Rushwell. But a murder occurs. Inspector de Silva investigates with the help of his wife Jane.
An enjoyable and well-written novella

View all my reviews

Loving Lydia: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Leenie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This P&P variation continues with Colonel Fitzwilliam in the North as he and his regiment deal with the unrest. Bingley has opened Netherfield, and the Darcys are guests as the wedding day of the two eldest Bennet daughters near. Lydia continues her education to improve herself but then bad news is received. Can all work out well, and what problems can surface when the Colonel's brother, Lord Westonbury, arrives.
Another enjoyable and well-written story

View all my reviews

SERIAL by Casey Hill
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The only person who could bring the Garda forensics team into the present day is American, quantico trained, forensic investigator, Reilly Steel. Then a series of deaths occur. It would seem that only Reilly can find the link between them.
The story started off well, but I find the characters of Steel and Daniel Forrest too annoying, and soon became obvious who the guilty party was going to be.


View all my reviews

Delighting Mrs. Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Leenie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This P&P variation continues as Dash the dog causes Mr Bennet to fall down the stairs at Darcy House, resulting in Darcy inviting the remaining Bennet family to stay and help nurse Bennet's broken leg. How will living with the Bennet family change his perspective of their characters if at all. Is there a possibility of a happy ending for Elizabeth, but what of Lydia.
I enjoyed this well-written variation and learning a bit about the past relationship of the Bennet parents.

View all my reviews

Walk into Darkness by Glenn Trust
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The expansion of gang culture in Atlanta and its associated crime is on the rise. But what politicans and the OSI believe can be done differ when the team is brought in after the murder of a minister.
An interesting crime story

View all my reviews

Mary Bennet and the Bingley Codex by Joyce Harmon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel Mary Bennet finally escapes from her mother's machinations and goes and stays with the Bingleys. In their estate called Pleasaunce, Mary finds the library she has dreamed about and starts her catalguing task, and discovers the books of magic. And so her adventures starts.
A very enjoyable and well-written story, with its cast of characters that are introduced throughout the story.


View all my reviews

A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scotland, December 1830. Lady Kiera Darby has returned to her childhood home of Blakelaw House. Where she attends a Hogmanay Ball at Dryburgh house, the home of her aunt and uncle. Unfortunately the first-footer event is disrupted by the news of a murder and body-snatchers at nearby Dryburgh Abbey. Kiera is involved in the investigation and is asked to invite Sebastian Gage to help. But this is not the first or the last body to be removed.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery, with the romance developing more between Gage and Kiera.



View all my reviews

The Killing Ground by Glenn Trust
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The OSI team decide to 'aid' the FBI when a terrorist attack hits the Southaven Mall in Atlanta. But can they catch the guilty parties before another bomb explosion devastes the area.
An interesting story with the well developed characters of The Hunters.

View all my reviews

Caught Red-Handed by Denise Domning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the village of Mancetter, Warwickshire, the villagers are convinced that the dead Raymond, father of Dickie has come back to kill his son. Which means that Dickie will also become the walking dead. Sir Faucon de Ramis, with his brother Will, servant Alf and Brother Edmund journey to the village to investigate.
Another enjoyable and well-written mystery in this series. With its likeable characters.

View all my reviews

The Nun's Tale: The Owen Archer Series - Book Three by Candace Robb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1365. A nun Joanna Calverley dies of a fever in Beverley and is therefore buried quickly. But it is a year later when Archbishop Thoresby learns of a female in York claiming to be the resurrected nun.
He sends Owen Archer to investigate.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery story

View all my reviews

Murder at the Opera by D.M. Quincy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1815 London. As the theatre crowd are leaving the opera in Covent Garden the Marquess of Vessey's lost term mistress, Mrs Pike, is shot. Twenty-two years previously the wife of Vessey died. Atlas is convinced that his former brother-in-law Vessey killed his wife Phoebe. Phoebe being Atlas's older sister. So he takes the opportunity to investigate hoping to prove Vessey guilty of this murder.
I enjoyed this well-written mystery with its cast of well-developed characters. Hopefully the series will stay more mystery than romance to keep my interest.
A NetGalley Book



View all my reviews

Only With You by Cecilia Gray
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On the surface Emma believes she has it all - the looks, the family, the money - so it is her duty to help everyone less fortunate than herself. Which unfortunately she believes is everyone. This is so she can prove to her parents that she is worthwhile, and hide her insecurities.
Although it was a well-written story I just didn't care for any of the characters

View all my reviews

Death Takes a Lover by Olivier Bosman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1888. Detective Sergeant John Billings has been sent to Hammerock House, the home of the Thorntons in Yorkshire. There he is to investigate the suspicious death of the son, Roger Thornton.
An enjoyable well-written mystery

View all my reviews

The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy's Cousin by Regina Jeffers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel and fourth in the series the Darcys have been married for four years, and Georgiana Darcy has married Colonel, now Major-General, Fitzwilliam and living on his inherited estate. When he goes missing in London at the same time as several murders occur, suspicion falls on the Major-General.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery

View all my reviews

Zen and the Art of Murder by Oliver Bottini
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Louise Boni is an Inspector in the Serious Crime Squad in Germany's Black Forest. An alcoholic with obvious mental issues. Her boss Rolf Bermann sends her to investigate a Japanese monk, who has been beaten, and is walking in the snow of the Freiburg region.
I found the character of Boni just too obnoxious, and the story was really not interesting enough, or maybe the style of writing was not to my taste.
A NetGalley Book.

View all my reviews

A Deficit of Bones by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Travelling from Bergen a storm means that Murray and Blair must dock and stay in snowbound Aberdeen. Here they meet friends of Blair, whicky smugglers and death. Once again Murray with help hopes to bring the guilty party of the murders to justice.
Another enjoyable and well-written mystery, with its very likeable characters. Hopefully there will be more in the series.

View all my reviews

The Remarkable Miss Darcy by Jennifer Joy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P&P sequel, Georgiana and Lydia are the best of friends and are both living at Darcy House. But Georgiana is still unsure of herself because of past events. Then she meets again Michael Nelson. How will all their lives change and what danger will befall them
An enjoyable and well-written story, with its mixture of romance and intrigue.

View all my reviews

Lady Doctor Wyre by Joely Sue Burkhart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Charlotte, Duchess of Wyre has hidden on the Americus colony for seven years. But is she still safe from the wrath of the Queen. Events unfold but will the combination of scientist, a sheriff, and an assassin be enough.
An enjoyable story

View all my reviews

Ripper by Amy Cecil
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1881 Whitechapel. Marie has fallen on hard times after the death of her husband and now works as a prostitute. Until the night she meets a handsome stranger who she is instantly attracted to. When he offers her a contract to be exclusive with him she cannot refuse. But doubts surface about who he really is.
Note - mature content throughout the book.
I really enjoyed this story of the flawed Marie, it certainly kept me wondering until the end.

View all my reviews

Thicker than Water by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1817. Charles Murray is visiting St. Andrews, staying at Professor Shaw's home, now the home of his ex-servant Walter. On returning from a recital, they find a body in one of the ponds in the garden.
The dead man leaves a wife and child behind, the wife believing that it is someone from their past who is guilty. Murray with the help of Constable Round investigate.
An enjoyable and well-written mystery, another delightful story with a fine cast of characters

View all my reviews

Murder, She Encountered by Peg Cochran
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1939, New York City. Photographer Elizabeth “Biz” Adams and Ralph Kaminsky, reporter, are sent by the Daily Trumpet to the World Fair. Here a body of a female has been discovered, murdered. Joey Dorman, a hot dog vendor, is arrested straightaway but neither believe him to be guilty, and so set out to uncover the real culprit. But there is another body discovered, a sailor just off a French ship. Is there a connection.
An enjoyable cozy mystery though I still don't find Elizabeth that interesting.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Treasured: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This P&P variation continues as three weeks have passed. But all is not well, who is behind the threat to the happiness of Darcy and Elizabeth. Both Georgiana and Mary have their share in the events.
An enjoyable end to the trilogy

View all my reviews

Reunited: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This P&P variation continues as five years have passed. Since then there have been deaths in the various families including the heir to Longbourn, Sam. But now Bingley has leased Netherfield and invited Darcy to join him. Can Elizabeth and Darcy resolve their differences.
Another enjoyable read, look forward to reading the last in the trilogy.

View all my reviews

Slow Death by Quicksilver by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charles Murray is visiting his friend Coulter, the minister of Kirkwelland. But the quiet of the village is broken when there is a death, the murder of the unpopular Newell. Occupied with thoughts of his daughter and the charming Miss Kitty Herkless, Murray is slow to investigate the large number of suspects and all their possible motives before another death occurs.
Another enjoyable and well-written mystery with its cast of well-drawn characters.


View all my reviews

The Liar by Jane Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ex D.I. John Tyler is spending time with distant cousin Martha who is researching her family tree. But she is found in her room at the B&B where she is staying, stabbed. Leading the investigation is D.I. Mike Croft, friend to Tyler. Soon they discover that Martha is not her real name or who she appears to be.
Although the fourth in the series this can easily be read as a standalone story.
A very enjoyable well-written mystery, with its interesting story and characters.
Rceieved an ARC from the publishers.

View all my reviews

Pledged: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A P&Pvariation where the Bennets have a son, Sam, who is friends with Darcy, Bingley, Fitzwilliam and Wickham, and all their fathers are still alive. They are all staying at the Darcy House in London, with their sisters (at this stage Elizabeth is only 16). All are honoured bound to not get involved with the others sisters. But Darcy and Elizabeth feel an attraction.
An enjoyable variation, the story continues in Book 2

View all my reviews

The Mozart Conspiracy by Susanne Dunlap
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vienna 1781. Theresa Schurman a young lady has a double life, one as a lady and daughter of a respectable family, the other as Thomas Weissbrot, the violinist. Walking home after a concert it is Thomas who witnesses a murder, with the victim naming Mozart. She decides to investigate what becomes a complex investigation, who can she trust, what is the real truth.
This was an enjoyable and well-written historical mystery, which is plot-driven rather than dealing with the characters, Though I admit to not really taking to the character of Theresa, I probably found her too immature for my reading tastes.
A NetGalley Book



View all my reviews

Lady Wyre's Regret by Joely Sue Burkhart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With her inventions Charlotte, Duchess of Wyre, in her role of Queen Majel’s Physician seems to have done her job much too well. Not just by curing the Queen but inventing a most deadly weapon. So she believes it is time to disappear. For this she needs the help of assassin Sigmund Regret.
An enjoyable short story and a good introduction to the next in the series

View all my reviews

Sherlock Holmes and the Mayfair Murders by David Britland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When three respectable young females are murdered in Mayfair, Scotland Yard does not consult with Sherlock Holmes but with a Dr Karl Schermann a 'expert' on psycho-graphology and friend of Lady Bradford, the wife of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
So Holmes entertains himself with various small cases including investigating Dr. Karl Schermann but will this lead to solving the Mayfair cases with its increasing body count.
An enjoyable and well-written Victorian mystery story.

View all my reviews

Midwinter Mysteries: A Christmas Crime Anthology by Keith Moray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eleven stories with a connection to the Christmas period, set in the modern day back to the time of the Stuarts. Offering a vast range of time and characters in which to find some delightful well-written stories. They also introduce you to characters set in series from this publisher.
I really enjoyed all the stories, only one failed to totally engage me.
Received an ARC from the publisher.

View all my reviews

The Opening Night Murders by James Scott Byrnside
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chicago. 1935 A new play is about to be enacted at The Red Rising Theatre, but the leading actress Lisa Pluviam has received a death threat, saying that she will die on opening night. She engages private detectives Rowan Manory and Walter Williams to investigate. But events get more complicated than they thought.
A well-plotted, and well-written mystery which I enjoyed. It kept my interest right to the end.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Cynthia the Invincible by Amelia Grace Treader
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cynthia loves interacting with the 'Jane Austen World' game. When she is being chased by The Cataxl, their weapons throw her into the past and back on Earth in 1810. Now she can experience the real Jane Austen world but will it live up to her expectations. And what trouble can she cause.
An enjoyable story

View all my reviews

A Dark Night at Midsummer: A Letho Novella by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

June 1817 What really did happen with the mirror that belonged to Widow Maggot. What do Mrs Dean and Mrs Lizzie Fenwick hope to achieve concerning the dead Grissell Gairdener.
An enjoyable well-written mystery, a sequel to the events of Book 8

View all my reviews

The Thirteenth Gate by Kat Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1888. At the Greymoor Lunatic Asylum resides Dr William Clarence, a man thought to be Jack the Ripper But he escapes, but how. Lady Vivienne Cumberland and Alec Lawrence chase him down. Meanwhile in New York at the American Museum of Natural History, a murder occurs. Is there a connection. Harrison Fearing Pell and her colleague John Weston investigate.
This was an enjoyable and well-plotted paranormal historical mystery


View all my reviews

Returning to Mr. Darcy by Sheena Austin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Modern day Elizabeth Bennet is in a bad for her relationshp with Christian Davenport. She is a lover of the book Pride and Prejudice and finally, but briefly, meets Mr Darcy. Then a car crash sends her back to 1820 Pemberley, Derbyshire as Elizabeth Darcy, just after Mrs Darcy has been confronted by Darcy and Anne de Bourgh in a compromising position.
From then on the story seems to be just disjointed, until the expected happy ending. Throughout the book I didn't like any of the characters but was just curious enough to read to the end.

View all my reviews

Pride and Prejudice in Space by Sybil Nelson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A P&P variation which is set in the future and on another planet. Where the Brennezon daughters are the half human (misturas) of the all too human Mrs Brennezon. The story roughly follows the original plotline with some obvious changes because of the location and non-human species involved.
Different but I found it enjoyable enough.

View all my reviews