Murder at the Foundling Hospital by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

26th December 1858. At the Foundling Hospital, the workplace of nurse Gemma Tate, the body of a young girl, Amanda Carter, is discovered drowned in a laundry tub. Matron Holcombe calls on Inspector Sebastian Bell to investigate. Gemma also decides to help.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters, supported by a cast of varied personalities. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Death by Greek Fire by B.R. Stateham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dalmatia 7 A.D. IX Brundisi. The camp is attacked and several hundred Romans have been killed. Leaving Decimus Julius Virilis in charge and determined to find out who set the explosion of Greek fire. But that is only the start
An entertaining historical mystery

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Crime & Culpability: A Jane Austen Mystery Anthology by Regina Jeffers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1. Order and Disorder - Wickham needs to leave the country due to his debts, how will he manage after selling his commission and leaving Lydia.
2. Death at the Races - while at Epsom Down, friend of Darcy Sir Edgar Moore is accosted and the person later is found dead. Can Mary Bennet find the guilty party. Favourite story.
3. Shadows at Northanger - what happened in Henry VIII times at the abbey.
4. Darcy’s Revenge - Modern America and Wickham
5. New Year, New Problems - Modern, a theft at the Pemberley Club. Cliffhanger.
6. Detective Woodhouse and the gallery of Forgery - Modern. Theft of a Jane Fairfax painting.
7. The Beginning and the End - Modern. Professor Walter Ella's of Austen University and his guilty secret.
Too many Modern set stories including one cliffhanger.

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Symbols At Your Door by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The village of Beckworth has been targeted by a series of burglaries but then there is a murder. DI David Webb and his team investigate
An enjoyable mystery
(Originally published in 1990)

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The Poker Game Mystery by Peter Bartram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

October 1965 Crime reporter Peter Crampton with two females discovered the body of bouncer and ex-scallwag Steve Telford. Meanwhile ownership of the Chronicle has changed hands due to a game of poker. So what is Crampton's plan.
An enjoyable mystery

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DEATH OF A SAFEBREAKER: A 1930s country house mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1937 At the home of Viscount Tallis a house party has been organise. During one night a safe breaker enters the house, after opening the safe he is shot. The killer leaves after removing some documents and eventually goes to their room. Inspector Tommy Rees investigates.
An entertaining historical mystery

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The Fearful Summons by Denny Martin Flinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

2294. A.D. Captain Sulu captain of the Excelsior with 10 of his crew are kidnapped and held for ransom. Kirk and his former bridge officers unite to attempt an unsanctioned rescue.
An entertaining re-read

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The Name on the Bullet by John Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A policeman fronting a television documentary is shot. Shot with a bullet with his initials carved on. Is their a connection with the local gangster, Callaghan. Why are the National Crime Agency and M15 jnvolved. DCI John Blizzard and his investigate.
An enjoyable modern mystery with its likeable characters.

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The Vengeance Man by John Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Atherley village graveyard and the first sighting of the Vengeance Man. But then there will be a body found there. The police also have to contend with a series of armed robberies, and the body count rises. DCI Blizzard and his team investigate
An entertaining modern mystery with its likeable characters

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Death of a Juror: A 1936 Murder Mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1936 Lincoln Two men have been accused of manslaughter. At the beginning of the trial, one of the 13 jurors, a female, collapses. Poisoned. A DCI Acton and his team investigates.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Mr. and Mrs. Collins: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by M. A. Bard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and prejudice sequel, Mr and Mrs Collins have returned to the Hunsford parsonage after attending the wedding of Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. But what awaits them especially from Lady Catherine de Bough. Someone totally against the marriage. How will their changes of circumstances affect their relationship to each other and to others in the community.
An entertaining and well-written story with its likeable characters.

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Lessons in Chasing the Wild Goose by Charlie Cochrane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Autumn 1922. Chas Rainsford had died. His widow Pearl is convinced it was no accident. Family friend Dr Beattie approaches Stewart and Coppersmith to investigate.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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The Comedy Club Mystery by Peter Bartram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1965 Brighton. The theatre critic for the Chronicle, Sidney Pinker, is arrested for the murder of theatrical agent, Daniel Bernstein, but missing is Max Miller's blue book of jokes. Crampton decides to investigate.
An entertaining mystery

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Deliverance: A Justice Belstrang Mystery by John Pilkington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1618. While his estate is under threat of compulsive purchase by the King, Belstrang helps an old friend, Sir Richard Mountford, by determining how and why and by whom his brother John was killed.
An entertaining historical mystery with its likeable characters.

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Lessons in Loving thy Murderous Neighbour by Charlie Cochrane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1922. St Bride's. Dr Owens, Master of the neighbouring college of Assumption, is accused of the murder of undergraduate Olivier Seymour. As much as they dislike him Stewart and Coppersmith decide to investigate.
An enjoyable historical mystery with its likeable characters

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Death of a Preacher Man by Alex Wagner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second century AD, Vindobona (modern day Vienna) during a snowstorm at the home of the merchant Thanar, two of his many guests are murdered. The guests a mixture of Druid, Christian and Roman soldiers. Who is the guilty party and why were they killed.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Sherlock Holmes and the Giant Sumatran Rat by Joanna Campbell Slan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(1894) When warned away from investigating murders in London, Holmes is approached by Ennis Caldwell as her fiancé, Walter Benson has disappeared. His sister allows Holmes to read his diary, a strange story of men turning into wolves is related.
An entertaining Holmes mystery

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Sherlock Holmes At the Raffles Hotel by John Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1905. To cure his boredom it is suggested that Holmes and Watson travel to Singapore and the Raffles Hotel. On arrival they are faced with the poisoning of a young wife. With her husband arrested.
An entertaining mystery

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Sherlock Holmes and the Adler Papers by John Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1889. Once again Mrs Irene Norton nee Alder enters Holmes's life. The result being that he and Watson travel to a Bohemia. But who can they trust.
An enjoyable Holmes mystery

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The Glade Manor Murder by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Glade Manor, Buckford village, home of the Morleys and their old nanny, Miss Emily Gover, known as Nanky. While the family is away, she is murdered. But why and by whom. Because of a local heavy work load the Yard is called in.
Unfortunately it was too obvious who the killer was. Last in series.
Ovverall an enjoyable mystery

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Who Goes Home? by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1984 Polharbour. A case of arson, heroin smuggling, and a skeleton all related to the Anstey Farm. But also a body found on the roadside. Pollard and Toye are brought in to investigate.
An enjoyable mystery

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Six Proud Walkers by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honeyford, home of the proud porcelain makers the Walker family and its matriarch Dorothy and her three sons. A family with secrets, some of which will be revealed when Mrs Dorothy Walker is found dead. DCI David Webb and his team investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Divided Empire by Brian Kitchen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

391 A.D. Flavius Vitulasius with his associate Siward, a Frisian, are sent on a mission to Britain. Can they retrieve a certain document and therefore prevent a war between the Pagans and Christians.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable characters. A good start to this new series.

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Avarice & Affection: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Caroline Cartier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1853 This Pride and Prejudice sequel continues the Bennet family sage from 1853 onwards and concludes. Telling mainly the story of Lydia Bennet and how she grew up.
An entertaining story

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Star Trek the Better Man; by Howard Weinstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Empyrea is a colony of genetically perfected human being are demanding that the Federation remove their science station. The Enterprise is sent transporting an ambassador, an old friend of McCoys.
An entertaining reread

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MURDER IN ACADEME: A 1951 Philip Bryce story by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1951 Master of St. Gelert's, Cambridge and with links to the Secret Intelligence Service, Professor Sir Richard Wordsworth is found dead near Staircase J. Because of his work with the SIS, DCS Bryce and his team are called in to investigate from Scotland Yard.
An entertaining historical mystery

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The Nine Bright Shiners by Anthea Fraser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1987 - Jan Coverdale and her two children have been invited by her older half brother, Edward Langley and his wife Rowena, to spend Christmas with them in Britain. Then the Langleys would be off on an expedition to Peru, again leaving jan to house sit. Later a murder occurs, the first. But why and by whom. DCI Webb and his team investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Sherlock Holmes and the Hammerford Will by John Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

To prove that his grandson is actually a Hammerford, his will states that he must solve a problem before his uncle by marriage. Unfortunately as he is only four years old, family friend Sir James Damery, hopes that Holmes will help.
An entertaining Holmes mystery

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The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Ted Riccardi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Twelve enjoyable short stories which mostly have a connections or set in Italy.

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Light Through Glass by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1983 Minstow. Unlikeable Dr John Paterson, Head of Geology and Geography at the local college is discovered dead, down a cliff face, his vehicle at the bottom. Due to an attack on a local policeman the Yard are called and Pollard and Toye take over the investigation.
An enjoyable mystery

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Lessons for Survivors by Charlie Cochrane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1919 Stewart and Coppersmith are approached by Reverend Ian Bresnan. To gain a bigger legacy from his Uncle Simon Priestland's will he needs to prove that his uncle Peter was murdered by his much younger wife, Rosalind.
An entertaining historical mystery

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The Bad Sister by Anne Penketh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DI Sam Clayton has a new case, that of hate crimes against the Polish population one of which has resulted in three deaths. but the husband of his estranged sister Mel, has been murdered. Is she a suspect.
An interesting modern mystery

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The Elgin Conspiracy by Julia Golding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

May 1812 Ex-army surgeon Dr Jacob Sandys and actress Dora Fitz-Pennington are employed by Lord Elgin as he believes he is being threatened. Is it because of the Marbles or is it his ex-wife. Or is there another reason.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters 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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Deadly Silent by Ann Girdharry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twenty one year patient of Moorlands Psychiatric Hospital takes a fall from the top floor, dead. But was it suicide, accident or murder. DCI Grant and his team investigate. Then there is another death.
An interesting modern mystery.

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Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Emma sequel where it is now 1815. One Saturday, Mrs Emma Knightley, wife of the local magistrate, and her friend Mrs Harriet Martin entered the local church only to find the body of Mrs Elton, the vicar's wife, presumably murdered. Emma disagreeing with the direction the local constable and coroner takes decides to become involved or meddle as is her wont.
An entertaining and well-written cozy historical mystery with its cast of likable and easily recognisable characters. A good start to which will hopefully be a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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DEMANDS WITH MENACES: A 1950 Philip Bryce story by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1950 Newly promoted DCS Bryce is given a case of blackmail. Ten people have received letter stating that past misdemeanours will be exposed if he is not paid. Murder and suicide follow.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Gods in Londinium by John Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(100 A.D.) Ikaros Greek slave to Morganus, first Javelin of the Twentieth Legion has a few problem to solve. The death of Zephyrix the great racing driver, the riseo of a new religion which might be linked to the possible uprising of all the local tribes.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

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All Lessons Learned by Charlie Cochrane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1919 Dr Coppersmith is contacted by Mrs McNeil. She needs to know what really happened to her son, Lt Daniel McNeil, in Belgium during the war. As Coppersmith mourns the death of Jonty.
An entertining historical mystery.

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Trick of the Night by Joy Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ballard and Haynes, private investigators, are approached by the mother of dead Alex Hallam to investigate his and his flat-mate, Toby Unworth, deaths. Both photography students. The police state that it was an accident. But there are rumours of unknown events happening in the area. And what of nine year old Simon Burton and his aunt.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Crossroad by Barbara Hambly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stargare 6251.1 While patrolling a sector of space called the Crossroad Nebula the Enterprise meets the starship Nautilus who beam abroad the Enterprise claimingto be from the future, fleeing the Consilium. Then members of the Consilium arrive. Who is telling the truth and how will all their actions affect the future.
An entertaining re-read

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Rivalry & Reparations: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Caroline Cartier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Victorian Pride and Prejudice continues, so what does happen to Catherine, and who is meeting a 'gentleman' in private and how will this affect the family and friends of the Bennets.
An entertaining story.

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Elizabeth Bennet's Gallant Suitor: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation can Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy prevent the arranged marriage instigated by Sir Wesley Belwood between his nephew Colonel Fitzwilliam and his granddaughter Jane Belwood previously known as Bennet. A daughter from Mrs Bennet's first marriage. Do either Jane and the Colonel want the marriage or are there other options.
An entertaining and well-written story which thankfully other Bennet daughters stories were also told not just Elizabeth's. Though I would have prefered more time spent with Mary and possibly Jane.
A re-read. Again

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Sherlock Holmes and the Disgraced Inspector by John Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set 10 years after the Reichenbach Fall incident. Clayton was convicted 20 years previously for the disappearance of 5 young boys, now an appeal has overturned the conviction and he is out to sue Inspector Lestrade, only one left from 20 years ago. But now another boy is missing. But what of Sir Octavius Fotheringay and the several suspicious deaths in his family.
An entertaining Holmes mystery

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The Wheel Turns by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1982 Basil Railsdon, future MP for Loxford Village, while speeding kills a young child and then hids the body. But was he seen. Then he discovers he has a half-sister, Laura Raymond, one whom is certainly not of their set. On a visit it seems that thankfully for everyone involved she dies. Was it an accident. Pollard and Toye are brought in to investigate.
An entertaining mystery

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The Amateur Detective: A 1950 Philip Bryce mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1950 Hunstanton. A body of a female is discovered at the base of a cliff. Soon DCI bryce will be called in to investigate. But why was a popular and pleasant lady killed.
An entertaining mystery

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Murder of Innocents: A Redmond and Haze Mystery Book 14 by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Foxley of Fox Hollow requested Redmond and Haze to investigate as the bodies of two young children had been discovered. The young sons of the cook, John 6 and Bertie 4, were found in a chest in one of the bedrooms. Redmond suspects poison but by whom and why.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

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Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emily, 6 and Lisa, 4 are kidnapped from their grandparents home. But by whom and why. How many secrets will need to be exposed to find the guilty party. DI David Grant and his team investigate.
An interesting modern mystery

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

DI Mike Croft is sure that there is a connection between a murder of 18 years ago, and the present one of 43 year old businessman Morgan Springfield. But what of Joanna Pearson, just released from prison for rhe murder of her husband, and her family.
An enjoyable modern mystery

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Troubled Waters by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1980. 28 year old American Edward Tuke arrived in the village of Woodcombe searching his family history but ends up dead. But why and by whom. Weeks later Detectives Pollard and Toye are called in to re investigate.
An entertaining mystery

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Chivalry & Chauvinism: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Caroline Cartier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and prejudice variation set in Victorian England. The story continues as it is now 1848 and Mary is slowly approaching her majority. How will this affect her. And what of the rest of the bennets and their friends and relations.
An entertaining story.

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