Mission to Meryton: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Laraba Kendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, with Colonel Fitzwilliam injured in body and soul Darcy feels that he must do something to aid the British in the war against the French. So he is sent to Meryton to learn about the inhabitants as suspicions have been raised.
A delightful and entertaining well-written story with its interesting characters.
Which is thankfully not just a romance tale but would have loved to have the Colonel more in the story. An enjoyable re-read.

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Child's Play by Alison G. Taylor


Banger. Superintendent Michael McKenna and his team are called in to the Hernitage girls boarding school when one of the pupils is reported missing. When a body is found was it suicide, an accident or murder.
The story was just too long with a long list of unlikeable characters.. I just lost interest in who the killer was.

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Ravenser Odd- End of Days: A Sir Guy de Haghe Mystery by Robert Wilkinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1347 At Ravenser Odd Father Ranulf has committed suicide. But why. Justice of the Peace Sir Guy de Haghe with his men investigate. But there are strange currents underlying the area. Can the case be solved while being sidetracked by a land claim.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and varied characters. A good start to this series.

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The Gentlewoman Spy by Adele Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1584 when Sir Francis Walsingham discovers a plot to over throw Queen Elizabeth with Mary Stuart he charges his only female spy Kit Scarlett to pair up with Iomhar Blackwood and undercover the guilty parties.
An entertaining historical thriller and mystery story though I did find the character of Kit somewhat irritating.


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Sixpenny Holding by Margaret Scutt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1960s. Marian Stamford has moved into Sixpenny Holdings hoping to spend her days writing. But soon she has two nieces to stay. Events bring some turmoil to her life.
An enjoyable story but not much of a mystery.

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Sins of Silence by Sadie Gordon Richmond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Treelore boarding school. DCI Lawrence Forrester and DS Rebecca Palmer are called in to investigate when the body of one of the students is discovered in the grounds.
An enjoyable modern mystery

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The Lily-white Boys by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When a van is dumped outside the home of Monica Tovey the police become involved when two bodies are discovered inside. DCI David Webb investigates.
An entertaining mystery
Originally published in 1991

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The Propriety Failure: a Pride and Prejudice Variation by Wade H.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation what if Elizabeth Bennet was staying in Ramsgate at the same time as Georgiana Darcy and saw her attacked by Wickham. How will this affect the future behaviour of both of them and consequently the rest of the Bennets. Really like this Caroline Bingley.
An entertaining variation.

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The Safest Plan; a Pride and Prejudice Variation by Wade H.
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where Darcy has followed a plan to avoid being compromise. Then the Meryton assembly occurs.
An enjoyable short story

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BEACHY HEAD by Adam Lyndon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2005 Brighton and Hove. What starts as a relatively straightforward manslaughter case escalates as DI Rutherford Barnes and his team investigate. But the case keeps getting more complicated.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery. A good addition to this series with its cast of likeable but varied characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Mark of a Rogue by Adele Clee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why is there someone standing next to the grave of Lawrence Trent's half brother. The answer given results in the discovery of more deaths. And an involvement with Miss Verity Vale as they seek answers.
An entertaining historical mystery and romance with mature content. Another good addition to this series with its likeable characters.

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An Hour's Delay: A Pride and Prejudice variation by Lorraine Hetschel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Elizabeth Bennet meets Darcy in Derbyshire. They quickly become engaged, and then she reads Jane’s letter concerning Lydia. They return to Longbourn but how will this affect the future of Elizabeth's sisters.
An entertaining variation.

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The Plymouth Cloake by Kate Sedley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1473 Exeter. On entering the city Roger Chapman is summoned to the presence of Richard, Duke of Gloucester. His mission is to accompany Royal messenger Philip Underdown to Plymouth and deliver him abroad the ship Falcon. All does not go to plan and Roger must discover a killer to save himself.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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Sherlock Holmes & the Singular Affair by M.K. Wiseman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1870s. Twenty-six year old Sherlock Holmes is approached by Miss Eudora Clark. She is convinced that the nephew of Sir Edgar Price, Tobias-Henry Price, is not the real one. She wishes for him to find the man she is in love with. Holmes investigates.
An entertaining mystery

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Bonded Hearts by Fancyface8105
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where Darcy, the Duke of Derbyshire and Elizabeth Bennet managed with 24 hours of meeting becoming engaged and indulging in mature content. Elizabeth is a Mary Sue character which is quite boring. Also there some persons wildly out of character.
Meryton has moved to Herefordshire on the other side of the country to Hertfordshire.
Overall by not reading the sexual content it was an enjoyable variation.

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In Essentials: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Helen Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation on returning from Rosings Elizabeth falls very ill resulting in Mary travelling with the Gardiners, and Lydia not going to Brighton. How will this affect the future of the Bennet daughters. With another disappointing pairing for Mary.
Overall an enjoyable variation

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Their Share of Vexations by Lucrezia*
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation Elizabeth runs from Longbourn after a proposal of marriage from a vicar. But this is not Collins. The result leaves Elizabeth's reputation in shreds and only one of her sisters stands by her. But it is not Jane. There is disharmony, revenge, cruelty, (definitely mature content) but also happy endings for quite a few people. Will the guilty get their just punishment. Will I be happy in the outcome for Mary Bennet?
With all of that I found it a delightful story even in the re-read, again.

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A Thin Sharp Blade: An Edwardian Mystery by Fran Smith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Cambridge 1903 When her brother is injured and his boxing opponent dies Vita Carew investigates. Unfortunately not much of a mystery or who the guilty party was.

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The Copycat Murders: A supernatural novella by William Meikle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Newsreaders are being killed in locked rooms. But how is the main suspect doing it. Lieutenant Ryan and Sergeant Dave Thorne investigate .
An entertaining paranormal mystery.
Disclaimer - written by my husband.

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The Silent Quarry by Cheryl Rees-Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two teenager girls are attacked at a Quarry but only one survived but with no memory of the day.
Bryn Melyn 1999. Twenty years later Gwen Thomas has gone missing. When found her memories are slowly return. Can the case be finally solved. DI Winter Meadows investigates.
An entertaining modern mystery.

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Death of an Earl by G.G. Vandagriff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1935. When the Earl of Severn is murdered and his sister-in-law, Anne Bascombe arrested, Harry and Catherine Tregowyn decide to investigate.
An enjoyable cozy mystery

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The Prince of Darkness by Paul Doherty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1301 The King's spy Hugh Corbett is sent to Godstowe Priory. The ex-lover of Edward, Prince of Wales the Lady Eleanor Belmont has been discovered dead. It is for Hugh to investigate and determine the who and why.
An entertaining historical mystery. Another good addition to this series.

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Infestation by William Meikle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The S-squad lead by Captain John Banks are sent to Northern Canada to investigate a Russian boat. But they discover more than they bargained for.
An entertaining and well-written story
Disclaimer- written by my husband

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Mr Bennet leaves his study : A Regency Romance based on P&P by Sydney Salier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Mr Bennet finally becomes fed up with the attitude of Lydia. So he leaves his study and takes action, resulting in the improvement of all the Bennets including himself. A year later Netherfield is taken. I enjoyed reading Darcy getting upbraided for his attitude at the Meryton assembly and for Bennet not to be as useless as he is in canon.
An entertaining re-read, low angst story but would have liked more of Mary's story

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Absolution by Caro Ramsay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twenty-two years have passed since Alan McAlpine, now a DCI, has entered Partickhill police station. Now he is there to lead his team in the investigation of the death of two females. But can he ever forget the events of 22 years ago.
An entertaining modern mystery.

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Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Lucy Marin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth at the age of 12 decides her younger sisters need to be educated and protected from their very contentious parents. How will this affect their futures especially when the Netherfield party arrives.
An entertaining well-written variation. One of the few I have enjoyed recently. Though I would have liked to have read more about the future of the other Bennet daughters and Georgiana.

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Kiss Me Good Night, Major Darcy by Georgina Young-Ellis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1944 Jane and Elizabeth are nurses, Catherine and Lydia volunteers in the same hospital while Mary works as a land girl. Enjoyable first half until it came to another disappointing pairing for Mary but it could have been worse.. Which is when I lost interest but did quickly read to the end. And no Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Overall an enjoyable story

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Pilgrimage of Death by Sally Spencer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1386 Geoffrey Chaucer joins a group of pilgrims on their to Canterbury. Suspicion arises when one of them is murdered. Then another. But by whom and why.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Awakened Hearts by Susan Potts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel several years have passed since the marriages of Elizabeth and Jane. With Mary as the last of the Bennet sisters still at home, she is determined to become a governess or companion. Then she is invited to Pemberley, her first ever visit. There she meets Georgiana Darcy and Brigadier Henry Fitzwilliam, cousin to Darcy. But can she come out of her shell and accept the friendships on offer.
A delightful story, well-written, lovely to read about Mary's emotional development. Just loved everything about the story and the characters.
An entertaining re-read, again.

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More than Ashes: A tale of truth and lies by Isabella Muir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1940 Tamarisk Bay. How did looted goods end up in ARP warden Latimer's home.
An enjoyble well-written historical novella

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Sherlock Holmes & the Ripper of Whitechapel by M.K. Wiseman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1888 Jack the Ripper has started his killing spree. Can Sherlock Holmes really believe that Dr Watson is guilty.
An entertaining Holmes mystery.

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His Last Breath: by Jay Nadal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

DI Karen Heath and her team investigate what turns into a serial killer case. Unfortunately she is unofficially re-looking into an old open case which is a distraction.
Overall an enjoyable modern mystery

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The Chancellor's Secret by Susanna Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1360 Cambridge. While Michael is involved in the elections to Chancellor, it is up to Matthew to solve the disappearance of several scholars and the murder of others while dealing with the spread of flux throughout the city.
An entertainingand well-written historical mystery.

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Of Silver Linings And Glad Tidings...: A Pride And Prejudice Variation by S. Neha
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation which begins a year before canon when an unfortunate occurrence with one of their friends changes the dynamics of the Bennet family. Now it is a year later and the Netherfield party and Mr Collins have arrived. How will this impact on the Bennets.
A delightful story of all of the Bennet family, especially enjoyable as the story did involve all of the daughters and not just the usual Elizabeth and Darcy interactions.
An etertaining re-read.

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Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1855 Amherst. Maid Willa Noble has started her employment at the Dickinson family home. But soon she is told of the death of her younger brother, Henry, who worked at the local livery and stables. But what and who caused his death. Emily and Willa investigate.
A entertaining, if somewhat slow paced cozy mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. A good start to a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.




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A Little Learning by J.M. Gregson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When two students decide to commit the perfect crime they did not count on finding a body. How to explain the circumstances to the police.
DI Percy Peach and DS Lucy Blake investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery

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A Long Shadow by H.L. Marsay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

York. A skeleton of a female has been discovered in the Museum Gardens. It is believed that she is Emma Harrison. The same day homeless Fay Lawton, 19, is discovered dead by poison. DCI John Shadow and DS Jimmy Chang investigate. But more deaths occur. What is the connection and motive.
An entertaining well-written modern mystery with its likeable characters.

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Death Among the Diamonds by Fliss Chester
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1925 Hon Cressida Fawcett solver of crimes against fashion tries her hand in murder solving. A weekend party at her friend Lady Dorothy Chatterton's family home results in an accident or is it murder. This after diamond jewellery has been stolen previously. Cressida investigates along side DCI Andrews of Scotland Yard. A pity the police didn't notice a clue which would have shown them in a better light.
Overall an enjoyable well-written cozy historical mystery but I am not sure that I really took to the character of Cressida.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Sanctuary Murders by Susanna Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1360 Because of the threat of a French invasion tensions run high between the town and university in Cambridge. Then the first death occurs. How many more die before Michael and Matthew uncover the guilty party.
Another entertaining and well-written historical mystery in this series.

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The Habit of Murder by Susanna Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1360. Various scholars including those from Michaelhouse travelled to Clare in Suffolk as they had been informed that Elizabeth de burgh had died. They all hope to receive gifts in her will. But not all is well in the town which has so far seen five suspicious deaths. But there will be more. Can Michael, Matthew and Langelee discover the guilty party.
An entertainingand well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters.

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Rivals and Rascals by Maggie Page
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation who can win the love of Elizabeth Bennet. Will it be Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam. And what will they do to be successful.
An entertaining variation, where the Colonel chose wisely.
An enjoyable re-read

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Murder at the Victoria and Albert Museum by Jim Eldridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1899 When the body of Andrew Page, curator, is discovered at the site of the new Victoria and Albert museum, the Queen instructs Daniel and Abigail Wilson to investigate.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery. With its cast of varied, and likable characters, especially the two main ones. A good addition to this enjoyable Victorian series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Parlour Game by Jennifer Renshaw
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1873 Ivy Granger has travelled to London to visit Rosetta Earnshaw, a stranger, who turned up at her mother's funeral. Events lead her to becoming a maid at Blackham House the last sighting of Rosetta. Can she discover the whereabouts of Rosetta and solve the mystery of the House.
A Victorian gothic story which for me took too long in the telling.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


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The Huntsmen by Tony J. Forder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Drunk ex-chief Constable Ken Webster is killed in the crash he has caused, plus his naked underage female passenger and three other people. Where will the case lead DS Royston Chase and DC Clair Laney.
A interesting and dark modern mystery with its very likeable main characters. A good start to this new series

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Drawing Mr. Darcy: A Faithful Portrait by Melanie Rachel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and & Prejudice variation the story continues of Elizabeth Bennet Russell and Mr. Darcy. The story unfolds with the arrival of Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine and Wickham, with varying threats to the couple.
I enjoyed this well-written story but would love to also read the concurrent story of the Bennets after Elizabeth had left and more about the other Bennet daughters' romances.

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Drawing Mr. Darcy: Sketching His Character by Melanie Rachel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Thomas Bennet has received a request from his childless Aunt Olivia. To raise one of his daughters as her own. With the three youngest deemed to be too young and Mrs Bennet refusing to send Jane. That leaves Elizabeth to grow up in her wealthy and well-connected relation's home.
Then she returns to Longbourn for a long visit just as the Bingleys and Darcy arrive at Netherfield.
I enjoyed this well-written story a lot. I even actually liked Elizabeth, and enjoyed the portrayal of Jane and Mary. The characters of the Bingleys sisters were wonderful, and look forward to their reactions to Elizabeth in the next book.
An entertaining re-read.

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Grimm Up North by David J. Gatward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI Harry Grimm is sent away from Bristol to the quiet of Wensleydale. Unfortunately not that quiet. His first day brings the case of a missing 15 year old girl. But soon there is a death.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with humour throughout, with its very likeable main character. A good start to the series.

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