The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1892‭ ‬An old friend of her husband Radcliffe Emerson,‭ ‬Lady Baskerville believes a curse may have‭ ‬killed her husband Sir Henry when he was excavating in the Valley of the Kings.‭ ‬She wants him to investigate.‭ ‬While there several‭ ‬attempts are made on Emerson's life.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters


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He Died of Murder! by Shelley Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Master Wesley Tidmarsh,‭ ‬head of the religious community called The Seekers,‭ ‬situated at Abbot's Beach,‭ ‬has been shot dead.‭ ‬But by who and why.‭ ‬D.I.‭ ‬Chaos has been sent to investigate.
First published in‭ ‬1947.
An entertaining mystery‭

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Our Mutual Friends: A Charlotte House Affair by Jennifer Petkus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlote House investigates the alleged Prince Nanaboo of Samokar. Is he an imposter. If so who is he really and why the disguise.
Meanwhile Jane Woodsen and Mrs Fitzhigh are askedby old friend Mr Stanhope for help. He is concerned about the hold a Dr Meissner may have over his future wife, a Mrs Stephenson.
An entertaining mystery

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Spoken Bones by N.C. Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Port Saint Giles, Cumbria. DI Fenalla Sallow and her team investigate when the burnt body of 76 year old artist, Maureen Brian, is discovered on the beach.
An entertaining mystery

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Villainy in Vienna by Kelly Oliver
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1917. British spies Fiona Figg and her 'husband' Captain Clifford Douglas, are sent to Vienna by the War Office to discover who is next on the death list of German spy Fredrick Fredricks. Though it does not seem intelligent to send a virtual non speaking German spy to Austria.
A historical cozy mystery but unfortunately I just didn't take to Fiona's character which did tend to spoil the story
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Fee Entail by WadeH


A P&P variation where Elizabeth is forced to marry Mr Collins who treats her very badly. Circumstances mean that Darcy and the Colonel do not visit Rosings the following Easter. First the good point I loved the new Bennet daughters, and even got to like Lady Catherine. But just over the half way point the suspected pairing of the Colonel was not one I care for, so I stopped reading the story. Such a pity as I was enjoying the story

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Letters from Cheapside by WadeH
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A P&P variation where when Elizabeth refuses Mr Collins, Mrs Bennet sends her to stay with the Gardiners. There is corresponds with Jane and Mary. Does this alter their future.
An entertaining story

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Dead Drop: A historical thriller you don't want to miss... by Marilyn Todd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1896‭ ‬Oakbourne.‭ ‬Because she is in debt to a loan shark photographer‭ ‬Julie‭ McAllister arranges for three female travelling artistes to board at her home.‭ ‬But soon one is found dead,‭ ‬murdered.‭ ‬Why and who was she.‭ ‬Meanwhile Julie is approached‭ ‬by widower Titus Vance, as his thirty-three year old son is missing and he needs her help to find him.
Julie,‭ ‬Detective Inspector John‭ ‬Collingwood‭ ‬and Sergeant Charlie Kincaid investigate the murder.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likable and varied characters.‭ ‬Another good addition to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


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Flirtatious: A 'Pride and Prejudice' Variation Vignette by Margaret Lynette Sharp
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It would seem that Lydia's behaviour is causing concern in the Lucas household and therefore with Elizabeth.
An enjoyable short story

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Crimes of the Levee by John Sturgeon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chicago 1905. Detectives Patrick Moses and Gunter Krause are investigating ‘white slavery’ in the area to find missing Isabella Rossini, relation to the Italian Ambassador. Meanwhile Moses is on a private case, to determine the truth behind the death of Marshall Field junior.
An enjoyable story


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Sherlock Holmes and the Giant Rat of Sumatra by Paul D. Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1898 Holmes is faced with two cases, that of the ship Matilda Briggs, an abandaned ship and that of Daniel Collier son of the explorer Sir Michael Collier. Daniel is concerned for his father.
An entertaining Holmes story

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The Adventure of the Spectred Bat by Craig Stephen Copland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1887 Helen Stoner approaches Holmes in terror as he pregnant twin sister has been killed by a vampire bat, and now she fears for her life and unborn child.
An entertaining story

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Sherlock Holmes and the Giant's Hand: And Other Stories by Matthew Booth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1. The Adventure of the Giant’s Hand - 1894. Inspector Hopkins needs the help of Holmes as Stanislaus Addleton has disappeared from his home in Fairdale, Cornwall.
2. The Adventure of the York Place Prophecy - 1889. The Reverand Alistair Craddock approached Dr Watson, and then Holmes because he has been attacked several times by parishioner Colonel Jeremiah Earburton. He fears the Colonel has gone insane.
3. The Adventure of the Hollow Bank - Old friend McGregor Abernetty invites Dr Watson and Holmes to his home at Hollow Bank, Wiltshire. The first week is peaceful, then a murder occurs.
Three entertaining and well-written short stories


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Suffer the Children by Cheryl Rees-Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bryn Mawr. Natalie Beynon wakes up one morning to discover her 18 month old daughter missing. Is she protecting someone, can she actually remember what happened or is she lying to the police.
DI Meadows and his team investigate.
An entertaining and interesting mystery


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Death at the Tavern by Lee Strauss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1931 Boston. Dr Haley Higgins is asked to investigate the death of Stefane Marchesi, a member of a crime family. Haley has the help of reporter Samantha Hawke.
An enjoyable cozy historical mystery

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Those Who Go by Night by Andrew Gaddes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1324 When Richard Lacy is killed in Saint Mary’s Church, the Bishop ofLincoln, Henry Burghersh, send Thomas lester to Bottesford Manor to investigate. Unfortunately for him and the parishioners Friar Justus Dominican is also sent.
An entertaining historical mystery with its cast of varied and some likeable characters.

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The Silver Horse, Braised: A New Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Craig Stephen Copland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1899 Holmes is at Epsom investigating the death of a jockey. When after the race, the winning horse, trainer and groom disappear. The owner requests Holmes investigate.
Overallan enjoyable Holmes tory

(N.B. Holmes and Watson meet a real-life character, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who died in 1873, and in 1905 he presents them with a copy of his new book, Paul Clifford, which was published in 1830)

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The Widow Lerouge by Émile Gaboriau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1862 Village of La Jonchere the body of widow Lerouge is discovered in her home. Various people investigate but who will unearth the guilty party and the motive.
An entertaining read though it does become obvious who the guilty party is.


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THE LATCH MAN by John Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A burglar known as the Latch Man terrorises the area. But soon there is a murder. Is it the Latch Man. DCI John Blizzard and his investigate.
An entertaining crime story


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Uncorked by Lise McClendon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Pascal’s boss is arrested for the murder of Poulin, he and Merle investigate. But what of Pascal's work and private life. How eill he resolve the issues.
The final part of the trilogy - an enjoyable conclusion

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Outside the Bubble by Lise McClendon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the trilogy - The story does not really progress the mystery of the death of Poulin. But deals with Pascal and Merle traveling to help one of his sisters.


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The Bars of the Marshalsea by Jane Steen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The ghost of Charles Dickens wanders around London and his homes, where he meets another spirit. That of a boy.
An enjoyable short story

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Murder on Bealtaine Eve by Clare Jayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

430AD Conomor ap Tutwal,King of Dumnonia has invited various Saxons and Christians to the Bealtaine Eve celebrations. When a body is discovered,that of Saxon Mundi Aghison, Morvoren, Priestess, investigates the death with the help of Uxio, a Christian Deacon.
An entertaining historical mystery with its cast of varied and likeable characters. A good start to the series


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Mary's Christmas by Laurie R. King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mary Russell tells stories to Sherlock Holmes of her Uncle Jake and his visits to their family home.
An enjoyable short story

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The Poisoned Pen by Arthur B. Reeve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Professor Craig Kennedy investigates while Walter Jameson, reporter, assists

1.The Poisoned Pen - Craig Kennedy is employed by Senator Adrian Willard to prove the innocence of Dr Dixon in the death of actress Vera Lytton.
2.The Yeggman - the president of Standard Burglary Insurance Company requests the help of Professor Kennedy in the case of the stolen Branford pearls and the death of a maid.
3. The Germ of Death - Dr Kharkoff visits Kennedy because several freinds have strange sysmphoms -not that interesting
4.The Firebug - Fire Marshall McCormick believes that a series of incendiary firesin the business district aredue to a firebug and wants Kennedy to discover the person who has alsokilled six people in these fires.
5. The Confidence King - A counterfeit of notes is in cicrulation but when the guilty party is discovered the fingerprints do not match.
6. The Sand-Hog - What is behind the accidents at the tunnel construction site overseen by Jack Orton, and what could be the motive.
7.The White Slave - Georgette Gilbert has gone missing and her parents request Kennedy investigate.
8.The Forger - Stevenson Williams of Continental Surety, a broker of forgery insurance, request the help of Kennedy in a vast forgery fraud.
9.The Unofficial Spy - The house detective at the Hotel Vanderveer asksKennedy to look at the body discovered in one of the rooms. She was registered as Madame de Nevers
10.The Smuggler - Jack Herndon, Customs House of New York, involves Kennedy in the investigation of the smuggled gowns and jewellery from Paris
11.The Invisible Ray - Dr Burnham, ex-attending doctor to millionaire Stephen Haswell is suspiciousof hid illness and asks Kennedy to investigate.
12.The Campaign Grafter - Wesley Travis of the Reform party has had some photographs stolen from his home and is now being blackmailed. Can Kennedy prove them fake before the election takes place.
Overall some entertaining short stories,but not of enough interest to want to read again.

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Summons to Murder by J.C. Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1851 London. Friend of Dickens, Pierce Mallory, has been found shot. The initial verdict was suicide but on further investigation murder is proven. As his lifestyle provides many suspects will it be possible for Superintendent Jones and Charles Dickens to find the guilty party, and the motive.
A well-plotted and entertaining historical mystery. This well-written story with its cast of varied and likeable characters is another good addition to the series. The book can easily be read as a standalone story.

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In Malevolent Hands: A Mason Collins Novella by John A. Connell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

U.S. Army's 97th General Hospital, Frankfurt, May 1945. While recovering in the hospital Mason Collins discovers that another patient, Bill Heffernan, has died. Only to be informed by Sergeant Frankie DeAngelo, that he is the third to be murdered.Collins decides to investigate.
An entertaining and interesting historical mystery.

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Hey You, Pretty Face by Linda Coles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Croydon 1999. Who has left a newborn baby on the church steps and why. Meanwhile two teenagers have gone missing on the same evening. DC Jack Rutherford and the team investigate.
An interesting story with its varied and somewhat likeable but flawed characters

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The Campaign Grafter by Arthur Benjamin Reeve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wesley Travis of the Reform party has had some photographs stolen from his home and is now being blackmailed. Can Kennedy prove them fake before the election takes place.
An enjoyable story

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The Invisible Ray by Arthur B. Reeve
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Dr Burnham, ex-attending doctor to millionaire Stephen Haswell is suspiciousof hid illness and asks Kennedy to investigate.
Not really that interesting

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The Smuggler by Arthur Benjamin Reeve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jack Herndon, Customs House of New York, involves Kennedy in the investigation of the smuggled gowns and jewellery from Paris.
An enjoyable short story

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The Unofficial Spy by Arthur Benjamin Reeve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The house detective at the Hotel Vanderveer asksKennedy to look at the body discovered in one of the rooms. She was registered as Madame de Nevers.
An entertaining short story

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Five Dancing Sisters: A Pride and Prejudice Fairy Tale by Cassandra B. Leigh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this P&P variation the Bennet daughters all like to dance. But every morning their dancing slippers are ruined, and now gentlemen of the district are disappearing. Is there some evil at work, and who can save them.
An entertaining variation


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The Forger by Arthur Benjamin Reeve


Stevenson Williams of Continental Surety, a broker of forgery insurance, request the help of Kennedy in a vast forgery fraud.
An entertaining short story

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The White Slave by Arthur B. Reeve
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Georgette Gilbert has gone missing and her parents request Kennedy investigate.
Not that ineresting a story

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The Ghost Midwife by Annelisa Christensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who is the ghost that is terrifying the servants at the home the Appletons, and why.
An entertaining story


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The Sand-Hog by Arthur Benjamin Reeve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What is behind the accidents at the tunnel construction site overseen by Jack Orton, and what could be the motive.
An enjoyable short story

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The Confidence King by Arthur Benjamin Reeve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A counterfeit of notes is in circulation but when the guilty party is discovered the fingerprints do not match.
An entertaining short story

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The Adventure of the Scarlet Rosebud by Liz Hedgecock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1880s - Marcia le Fanu, spirilist has been found dead by her patron Sir Geoffrey Carlton. Inspector Gregson investigates, aided by Holmes.
An entertaining and well-written Holmes story

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A Necessary End by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI David Webb and his team investigate when a body of a female is discovered in Chedbury Woods, strangled. But what could be the possible motive.
An entertaining crime story.

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A Less Agreeable Man by Maria Grace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The final part of the trilogy, and the best story of the three
A Pride and Prejudice sequel and Mary Bennet's marriage to Mr. Michaels is approaching. Lady Catherine's mental health is failing and Colonel Fitzwilliam is struggling with the ownership of Rosings and the debts of the estate.
Just loved this book. So well-written, loved the characters and the story. I just didn't want the book to end.
Another re-read of this wonderful story with my two favourite characters of JAFF

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The Germ of Death by Arthur Benjamin Reeve
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Dr Kharkoff visits Kennedy because several friends have strange symptoms.
I didn't find the story that interesting

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A Virtuous Man by Clare Jayne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1790. Sixteen year old Joshua Littleford has gone missing from Edinburgh University. Mr and Mrs MacPherson are asked to investigate, but circumstances prevent an in depth one. When the McDonalds return from their honeymoon they take over, but then discover another student disappeared the same evening.
An enjoyable cozy historical mystery

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Just to Hear 'i Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'pride & Prejudice' by Sarah Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A re-read of this Pride and Prejudice variation whereby Elizabeth and Mary as the only two survivors of the Bennet family are taken in by their Gardiner relations. In an earlier tragedy Mary has been left deaf.
On a holiday with the Gardiners at Ramsgate they met Miss Darcy, but Wickham is also there. Can she be saved and how will the meeting of Darcy and Elizabeth fare. Soon they are introduced to the Fitzwilliam family. Will both Bennet ladies have their happy ending.And what of Bingley.
This is more the story of Mary and Colonel Fitzwilliam, which is why it is a favourite of mine.
An enjoyable and well-written variation with its delightful characters.

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The Price to Pay by Euan B. Pollock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At a birthday party for Daniel Mannings, he is murdered. But how did his body get from his locked bedroom to the cellar without any one seeing it.
Sebastian Dakar, ex-policeman and zen master, is asked to investigate by Daniel's father, Tom, a lawyer, who in turns requests the help of Stewart Scott, trainee lawyer.
An enjoyable mystery with its interesting characters

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Mistress Mary and the General: A Pride and Prejudice Inspired Story by Bronwen Chisholm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel,General Fitzwilliam has been left to care for three children after the death of his wife. Devastated by her death the General takes his family to Pemberley, hoping to find peace.
Meanwhile Mary Bennet, bored with living at Longbourn as the only remaining unwed daughter is staying at Pemberley. Can there ever be more than friendship between these two.
The writing style was so easy to read as the story moved along. I loved the story, the new characters but most of all the characters of the General and Mary.
Though I would have liked the story to continue more into their lives, and not jump into the future with the epilogue.
An entertaining and well-writting story

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Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Mission by Eddie Maguire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1912 On visiting Sherlock Holmes in Sussex, Dr Watson and Holmes discover that Mycroft who was on a secret mission to Rome has died, in a sanatorium. Holmes is determined to discover the truth. Meanwhile they are also investigating the kidnapping of Hunter Andrews.
An enjoyable story


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The Yeggman by Arthur Benjamin Reeve
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The president of Standard Burglary Insurance Company requests the help of Professor Kennedy in the case of the stolen Branford pearls and the death of a maid.
An enjoyable short story

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Interrupted Plans: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Brigid Huey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this P&P variation, Darcy's proposal has been refused. Elizabeth and Jane Bennet have now selfishly left Longbourn to escape the gossip of Lydia’s situation, to stay at the Gardiners. Where they attend a ball for The Historical Society and meet Bingley and Darcy. Can they both secure a happy ending.
An enjoyable story

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The Bookseller's Tale: A totally gripping historical crime thriller by Ann Swinfen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oxford 1353. The body of student, William Farringden, in retrieved from the River Cherwell by bookseller Nicholas Elyot. With a lack of interest in finding the killer, William and friend Jordain Brinkylsworth, warden of Hart Hall, home to William, investigate.
An entertaining and well-written mystery


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