Death Becomes the Bride: A Victorian Mortuary Murder Mystery by C P Verity
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After returning from finishing school Netty Dyer discovered her mother is to re-marry. To a much younger man. But she dies on her wedding night and Netty is concerned that she was murdered. To this end she employs private investigator Charles Hunter, who is helped by the maid at the Waiting Mortuary, Constance Dunn, where her mother waits burial
An entertaining cozy mystery set in Victorian times with its likeable main characters. This is a good start to this series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and am voluntarily leaving a review

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The Death of Irish Nell: A Detective Lavender Short Story by Karen Charlton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1803. Constable Ned Woods and Detective Stephen Lavender are called in to investigate when the body of Irish Nell is discovered down the well of the Inn she worked as a bar maid.
An enjoyable short story
If you have read The Willow Marsh Murder - there is no reason to read this.

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Solace House by Joy Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a lull at the Saltern-le-Fen police station DI Jackman and his team are given two cold cases to investigate. When a newly local family living at Solace House start being terrorised Jackman feels the need to help. But then a body is discovered. Is there a connection with the cases and the house. The cases just get more complicated.
An entertaining well-written and well-plotted modern mystery. With its likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable 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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To Honour the Dead by John Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A War memorial at Levton Bridge is vandalised but this will not be the last one. Then a war veteran is murdered. D I Jack Harris and his team investigate.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery

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The Black Country by Alex Grecian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1890 Inspector Walter Day and Sergeant Nevil Hammersmith are sent to the Black Country and the mining community of Blackhampton village. It would seem that a family of three have gone missing and their job is to investigate. Though secrets seem to abound the area.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery, with its likeable and interesting main characters.

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A Difficult Problem by Anna Katharine Green
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Lucy Holmes receives the death notice of her husband before he has died. She consults with a detective to discover the why and the who.
Not really much of a problem.
Short story originally published in 1900

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Darcy's Happy Compromise: A Pride & Prejudice Novel Variation by Zoe Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Elizabeth is accidently compromised, when fleeing from overhearing a conversation at Lucas Lodge, by Darcy. Resulting in putting her life in danger. But it is not Jane that supports Elizabeth but Mary. Can both these Bennet daughters have a happy ending.
An entertaining variation.

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Call to a Nightmare by Jim Lester
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1927. Dr Alex Gabriel is a debunker of mediums But then he is contacted by Savannahs Bishop, a medium, who has received messages that some men are going to be killed, and to contact Gabriel.
What is the connection, can the two of them prevent more murders. How far must they travel.
An entertaining paranormal mystery with its likeable main characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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A Nice Class of Corpse by Simon Brett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mrs Melita Pargeter, widow, has moved into the private hotel, Devereux Hotel in Littlehampton. But soon one of the residents is discovered dead but deemed an accident. But then another death occurs and so she decides to investigate
An entertaining and well-written cozy mystery. A good start to this series
Originally published in 1986

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Pairings! by JoanHall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A short Pride and Prejudice story with three very unlikely pairings and one usual one.

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The Three Locks by Bonnie MacBird
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1887 Dr John Watson has inherited a box from his mother which no-one seems to be able to open.
But Holmes has two cases, one involving a magician, the Great Borelli, and the other the possible disappearance of 18 year old Miss Odelia Wyndham. But soon there is a death. Accident or murder.
Holmes and Watson investigate.
An entertaining and well-written Holmes mystery

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Lost Hearts: Pride and Prejudice Variation by B.J. Rumph
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation to avoid the unwanted attentions of the new vicar, Mary escapes to Pemberley. In the same carriage, avoiding his matchmaking mother is the Colonel. Circumstances force them to wed.
As with the author's other work (Coping) I like the pairings, and the story. For thoses two items the story receives 3 stars.
But once again the execution of the story is bad, it badly needs a proof reader and an editor. Still I had to read it again.

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The Cliffs of Hertfordshire by WadeH
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation - what if at the Netherfield Ball, Mary Bennet and Darcy collided - literally. What if that was Mary's breaking point after all the years suffering while living as a Bennet, and she went straight over her personal cliff and left Meryton. What if it was found out that both Kitty and Lydia were 'increasing'. This is that story.
This story does contain some errors but it is an unpublished fan fiction so they will be ignored when giving a rating.
Overall this is such an enjoyable story. Another entertaining re-read.

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Tug River Murder by R. James Knox
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1897 Deputy Sheriff Richard James investigates when the body of Ephraim Smith is discovered with snake bites. Will the feud between two main families be restarted because of the death. But why was he killed.
An entertaining mystery

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Vengeance is Mine - A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rosemary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P&P variation, Caroline Bingley has been ruined, and when Darcy refuses to marry her as payment of a supposed debt owned to the Bingleys,Charles vows to take revenge on the Darcy family. How does this change the future of the Bingleys and the future of the families they meet. In this story it is not just Elizabeth that is her father's favourite but also Mary. Mrs Bennet's favourites, the other three, all because they have the same colouring as her, blond and blue eyed.
An entertaining story with lots of new characters added.
An enjoyable re-read


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Murder on Port Meadow by Annie Dalton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Anna Hopkins while at walking her dog comes across a body. Unfortunately someone she knows. Is she another of the 'Oxford Ripper' victims or not. Anna with two other dog owners wonder.
Entertaining modern mystery though I did work out the guilty party.

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The Millionaire Baby by Anna Katharine Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Six year old Gwendolen Ocumpaugh has gone missing. Her father Philo has posted a reward of $55,ooo. P.I. Robert Trevitt investigates,
Entertaining mystery though one event is left unexplained.
Originally published in 1905

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Dear Sir, - Volume I: A Pride and Prejudice variation novel by Kinga Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation both Jane and Elizabeth are at the Gardiners after Elizabeth's visit to Hunsford and that proposal. After telling Jane everything Jane decides that she must write a letter to Darcy explaining her feelings for Bingley. How does that change everyone's future.
An entertaining and well-written variation.



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Surviving Thomas Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson A Lady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation, James Bennet Junior, the master of Longbourn, and his wife Priscilla have a son, Jamie, and three daughters Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary. The second son Thomas becomes envious even though he has his own legacy of thirty thousand pounds. But tragedy strikes the family and Thomas Bennet arrives at Longbourn. How will this affect the future of not just the Bennet daughters.
An entertaining variation and one in which I liked the pairings.
An enjoyable re-read

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The Grell Mystery by Frank Froest
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

American Robert Grell on the eve of his wedding is spending the evening at his club with friend Sir Ralph Fairfield. Grell has business elsewhere but needs Fairfield to inform anyone that he is detained at the club. But his body is found at his home, stabbed. Heldon Foyle, C.I.D. and his team investigate.
An entertaining historical mystery.
Originally published in 1913

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A Little More Practice by Sandy W
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, while at Hunsford Elizabeth Bennet takes the advice of Lady Catherine and practices on Mrs Jenkinson's piano. With what consequences.
An enjoyable story

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Death Speaks Softly by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Popular French student Arlette Picard of Broadshire University has gone missing. On her own or has she be forced. DCI David Webb investigates.
An enjoyable modern mystery.
Originally published in 1987

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The Mystery of the Hasty Arrow by Anna Katharine Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A young girl is shot by an arrow at a New York museum. But by whom and why. The museum is quickly closed down to capture the guilty party. Can detective Gryce with the help if Sweetwater discover the truth. Gryce decides before the half way point of the story who the guilty party is, it is then just a matter of why.
Overall an entertaining read if somewhat over long.
Originally published in 1917

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Three, Three, The Rivals by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI David Webb investigates when local landowner Billy Makepeace, 78, is discovered dead in a canal in Erlesborough. A town where he was brought up, living with a feud between his father, Makepeace and Dick Vernon who had disappeared forty years ago.
An entertaining modern mystery
Originally published in 1992

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Mr. Darcy's Grieving Wife: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, not long after Jane and Elizabeth have returned from Netherfield, than Mr Bennet has a stroke. A fatal one. To stop Elizabeth marrying Collins and saving the Bennets Darcy proposes. How will their marriage survive with such unequal affections.
An enjoyable variation

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The Clockmaker's Secret by Jack Benton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On holiday p.i. John 'Slim' Hardy stumbles across a hidden clock on Bodmin Moor. A still ticking clock. Curious he starts to question the inhabitants of Penleven. But how will being an alcoholic who cannot resist a drink affect the investigation if at all.
An enjoyable modern mystery.

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Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol by Linda Stratmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1876 While watching a boxing exhibition Holmes and Stamford witness the death of one of the opponents. But this is not the first boxing death nor will it be the last. Holmes investigates.
An entertaining well-written Holmes mystery. Another good addition to the series.

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The Company She Kept by Marjorie Eccles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why would anyone want to kill Angie Robinson. What did really happen at Flowerdew House fourteen years ago. DCI Gil Mayo and his team investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery.
Originally published in 1993

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A Beneficial, If Unwilling, Compromise by Bronwen Chisholm
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation when Mrs Bennet believes Bennet is about to die she orders her daughters to take action to ensnare weathly husbands. How with this affect the actions of Darcy and Bingley.
Another disappointing pairing for Mary.

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A House Divided by Judith Cutler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1861. The Rowsley are invited by Matthew's cousin, Colonel Barrington to a house party. When a death occurs and a maid accused they investigate. But they are trapped in the house by a violent storm and are faced with hostility from some of the other guests.
Another entertaining and well-written Victorian mystery with its likeable and interesting characters. A good addition to this 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 Adventures of Augustus Fuller by James Rickon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1. Cases Belli - 1904. Augustus Fuller goes undercover to expose a gang of anarchists. But what is their ultimate aim.
2. The Aldbury Devil - 1904. Fuller is invited to Aldbury Hall. But old tales of a creature stalking the area become true when a herd is slaughtered and a body discovered.
3. The Terror Weapons - 1905. Explosions in the night sky, a corpse and a missing scientist Bernard. Fuller with his friend Rumfit-Wood are sent by the Foreign office to locate Samuel Bernard.
Entertaining adventure stories


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A Death on the Way to Portsmouth: A Lady of Ashes Short Story by Christine Trent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1870 Travelling to Portsmouth from Southampton after meeting her husband Sam who had arrived from the States. Violet Harper solves the mystery of the death of one of the passengers.
Enjoyable short story

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Spoken into Existence by Rosemary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice short story what ever Mrs. Bennet foretells will come true. No matter how outrageous or that she is laughed at by the Meryton ladies.
An entertaining re-read.

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THE LOST BROTHER an absolutely gripping crime mystery full of twists by Gretta Mulrooney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After seeing a photograph Steve Buckley is convinced that it is a photo of his younger brother Zac. But he had been told that when Steve was four, his brothe had died. He employs P.I. Tyrone Swift to investigate. But with so many family members dead there are so few clues left to follow.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its likeable main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series, which can easily be read as a standalone story.
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 Staircase at The Heart's Delight by Anna Katharine Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1840 As told by Mr Gryce. A number of well-known and wealthy men have been discovered drowned, presumed as suicides. Gryce believes not and waits for a clue to help his investigation.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1894

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Something Blue by Liz Hedgecock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jacinth Day has accepted the proposal of Constable Tom Huggins. But having been bought up in an orphanage she asks the Holmes brothers for help in tracking down any family.
An entertaining well-written story.

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Improvement of the Minds: A Pride and Prejudice retelling with youthful mischief by Enid Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation the Darcys of Pemberley are leasing the estate at Netherfield while the five Bennet daughters are still very young. How will this affect their upbringing.
An entertaining variation.

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The Lady's Guide to Death and Deception by Katherine Cowley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1815. In this Pride and Prejudice sequel Lady Trafford, Henry Withrow and Mary Bennet travel to Brussels to help gather information in their role as spies. But soon an officer is murdered and Withrow and Mary investigate. How many must die before the murderer is revealed.
An enjoyable well-written historical mystery, another good addition to this series with its very likeable main characters.

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Altered Deeds; a Pride & Prejudice Variation by Lady Jaeza
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation George Darcy is still alive but unfortunately believes everything that Wickham says. With the result that he becomes estranged from his actual son Fitzwilliam who starts to make his own way in thecworld. How does this affect the Bennets daughters and their awful parents.
The death of a beloved character made me give up for a while as there was absolutely no need for it. Eventually finished the enjoyable story.

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An Incident at the Royal Rest Inn by leavesfallingup
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation a storm brings two couples to the Royal Rest Inn where both wives give birth to daughters. But they are returned to the wrong mother. Twenty years later Darcy is tasked with finding one of them so that she can be returned to her rightfully family, her very high ranking family.
Entertaining variation made so with the pairing of Mary's. Another enjoyable re-read.

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A Change of Heart: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by E.A. Batten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice Variation, what if Darcy did not make the Hunsford proposal because Elizabeth reacted angrily to the Colonel and his story of Bingley. As the Colonel informs Darcy, Darcy's actions change and so the future changes.
An enjoyable and well-written tale.. Which I think could have been expanded to give more time to the Colonel and his romance.
Yet again another re-read.

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More than Tempted by Adele Clee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1830 Miss Helen Langley with her brother Sebastian, and their friend Nicholas St. Clair are some of the guests of Lady Brompton at Grayswood Folly. Because of her mention in the Scandal Sheets, Sebastian's plan is to marry Helen off by increasing her dowry. Meanwhile they need to discover the motive for the attempt on their lives and deal with the blackmailer of Nicholas.
An entertaining and well-written mystery and romance. With its likebale and varied characters. A good start to this new series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Operation Lightning Bolt by Hilary Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1942 After recovering from her latest mission Lieutenant Katerine 'Kim' Maxwell is sent to the Special Operations Executive's 'finishing school' at Beaulieu. Her mission is to investigate the death of Mrs Lillian Harvey, another operator. But the case becomes more dangerous than initially thought and more complicated.
An entertaining, well-written World War II spy mystery and thriller. With its cast of interesting and varied characters.

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Initials Only by Anna Katharine Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Millionairess Miss Edith Challoner is killed while staying at the Clermont Hotel, while sitting in plain sight and no-one near her. How and why. Detectives Gryce and Sweetwater investigate.
Interesting mystery but I knew straightaway how it was done.

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The Red Telephone Box by P.F. Ford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the middle of one night DS Norman's home in on fire and he has disappeared. The new DI Marion Goodnews at the Tinton station takes charge with the help of her team which includes DS Dave Slater.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Disappearance at Mount Sinai by James Musgrave
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1866 Wealthy inventor and Jew Dr Arthur Mergenthaler has been kidnapped. Patrick O'Malley is hired to find him.
Unfortunately I didn't find the story that interesting

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The Suitors by Lucrezia*
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another re-read of the Pride & Prejudice variation. A sequel to A Judge of Their Characters.
The story of the Bennets, Fitzwilliams, Darcys, de Bourgh, Belmonts and Bingleys continues in this sequel.
A very enjoyable tale, a good mix of mystery and romance.
NB There is mature content


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A Judge of Their Characters by Lucrezia*
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudive variation Jane is engaged to a wealthy Wickham. But Elizabeth is concerned and travels to Derbyshire to meet the Gardiners who are on holiday there and enlist their help. Near Lambton she is meet and helped by Darcy. But what plots are a foot.
A fun read with some new characters. Another re-read of this story with a mystery plot, which is so much more interesting than a straight romance story, and with pairings I like.
NB There is mature content.

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The Nunnery: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Anne Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Mrs Bennet has been dead for a long while, leaving conflicting memories with her daughters, reflecting how they have lived their lives. But now winter has returned to Meryton and more gentlemen become stranded in Meryton starting with Bingley and Darcy, but they are soon joined by Colonel Fitzwilliam. Very soon they met the Bennet daughters of The Nunnery. The colonel decides to help them, but can they change and will there be a happy ending for any of them.
An entertaining variation with a lovable Colonel. Another re-read.

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To Save a Sinner by Adele Clee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1820. Lucas Dempsey has returned to England after being banished to Boston for killing Lord Banbury. While at a ball Helena Ecclestone overhears a conversation she believes proves him innocent. She decides to help prove it.
An entertaining mystery and romance with its mature content and likeable characters.

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