Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1924 Maybury-in-the-Marsh. Wealthy Amy Phelps says she believes a ghost of an ancestor is haunting her, but it is unlikely she really believes that. Writer of a ghost book Arbuthnot 'Arbie' Swift and vicar's daughter Valentina Coulton-James spend the night on ghost watch. Several nights later Miss Pnelps is found dead, murdered by cyanide poisoning in her locked bedroom. Inspector Gorringe Investigates, with Arbie and Val deciding to help.
An entertaining historical mystery. A good start to this new series with its likeable main characters.

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Hey Diddle Diddle, the Runaway Riddle by P.C. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1964 Lake district. Retired detective inspector Tom Ramsey becomes involved in an abduction case where he saves Sophia Thornton (unlikeable) from her abductors and hides her. He investigates to find out who and why aided by Sophia and friend Alastair Elliott.
An enjoyable mystery

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Mr. Bingley Takes Charge - The Take Charge Series: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Charles Bingley takes the advice of his uncle and takes charge of his life including his spoilt sister Caroline. How will this affect the lives of his friends and that of the Bennets.
An entertaining variation.

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Chance is a Game: A Myles Devereux Murder Mystery - Mystery and Intrigue in Tudor England by Sam Burnell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1553 Myles Devereux, is a London gangster controlling a large part of the city, one of a very few. Is someone trying to force him out of business and commit murder.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Hissing Shaft by Rex Harpham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Daughter Caroline is concerned about the incidents that are happening to her father Sir Hugh McFarlane. So she sends their gillie Duncan Cameron to ask for Holmes help. Soon he and Dr Watson arrive at Inverdaigh House.
An entertaining Holmes mystery

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Prince Edward's Ride by Jason Vail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1265. Prisoner of Simon de Montfort Lord Edward has need of Sir Stephen Attebrook. Officially to find the killer of his friend and chamberlain Richard de Tourney, but really to carry messages to what he hopes are his allies in his planned uprising.
An entertaining historical mystery

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The Secret Detective Agency by Helena Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

January 1941. Miss Jane Treen is the overseer of Operation Exodus. She travelled to Half Moon Manor, the home of recently arrived code breaker Arthur Cilento as one of her agents has been found dead in his garden. That makes four of her six agents dead. Jane and Arthur join forces but where and who is the traitor, and the murderer as the deaths continue. Is there a network work of spies working for the enemy.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its two interesting and likeable main characters. Supported by a cast of varied personalities. A good start to this new series
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


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Storm Centre by Douglas Clark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Masters on sick leave is seconded to the Police College to officially give lectures but unofficially to solve a problem. That of the disappearance of two teenage boys five years apart. Soon he is joined by the rest of his team.
An enjoyable mystery
Originally published in 1986

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Charlotte Lucas Takes Charge: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation Fanny Bennet has died. Two years later the Netherfield party arrive. But then Collins arrives and what Charlotte Lucas overhears him saying changes many lives.
An entertaining variation with the right pairings. A re-read. again

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A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1797 Jane is sent to Rowling Manor, home of brother Edward Austen Knight to look after the children. At Godmersham Park, home of Mrs Catherine Knight, Jane meets 'Princess Eleanor', supposedly a survivor of a shipwreck. Mrs Edward Knight believes she is after their inheritance and wants Jane to investigate, though it seems she is not as intelligent as she believes.
An enjoyable historical cozy mystery with its varied characters, a good second story to this series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
(A pity it is written in the present tense)

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Adventure Awaits by Virginia Kohl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Sense and Sensibility sequel where Colonel Brandon and Eleanor have been married for six years. Margaret 'Daisy' Dashwood meets the new doctor, A.exander Mallard. Can there be a happy ending for her.
An enjoyable story


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And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ten people arrive at Soldier Island. Are they all guilty of what they have been accused. Will any survive. Who is behind the whole event.
An entertaining historical mystery. Interesting to finally read the book and compare it to the various versions I have watched.

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Mistletoe, Malice And Murder by Bruce Hammack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wealthy Mr Sid Green believes someone soon will die in his family. As Smiley and McBlythe arrive, the first one has died. But why and by whom.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Mary Bennet and the Footman's Facade: Mary of Longbourn #8 by Carrie Mollenkopf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel where it is now 1823 and Jeremy Saunders is a footman at Netherfield Park home to Kitty, Lady Amesbury. But what secrets does he have and will they be found out. Soon Mary and husband Dr Sutton along with Constable Campion investigate.
An entertaining mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

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Inspector French And The Starvel Hollow Tragedy by Freeman Wills Crofts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1926 The Starval Hollow house home to Simon Averill and his niece Ruth is burnt to the ground killing three people. That of Averill and the two servants, the Ropers. The event raises suspicions and Inspector French is sent to investigate.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1927

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Murder Down The Line by Bruce Hammack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Detective Leo Vega had been moved to the cold case team. His first case is of a murder from 1942 that so far every one has failed on. Smiley offers his help and he and McBlythe go to Mattherson County to investigate. While there there is another murder. Is there a possible connection.
An enjoyable modern mystery

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A Matter of Blood: Spy-craft and treachery in Elizabethan England by C. P. Giuliani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1588 Does Walsingham's enemy Stafford, ambassador in Paris, have a letter condemning him for his part in the death of Mary Queen of Scots. Walsingham sends his cousin and spy Tom to Paris.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

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Harbour No Secrets by Cheryl Rees-Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alys Pugh, 25, is found murdered at Llyn Fan lake. But who has been stalking her by leaving items in her home and why. Then there is another death from the group of friends. What are they hiding.
An enjoyable modern mystery

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Vulcan! by Kathleen Sky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stardate 6451.3 The neutral zone is moving and soon the Arachnae system will be within the Romulan system. But is there intelligent life on the planet. Vulcan hating science specialist Dr Katalya Treman is sent to the Enterprise as part of the investigative team.
An enjoyable re-read

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A Return to Norland: A Sequel to Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' by Kate Westwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Sense and Sensibility sequel where Margaret Dashwood has been invited by John and Fanny Dashwood to Norland and then a season in town. But does Fanny have an ulterior motive. Meanwhile the marriage of the Brandons seem to have a few problems.
An entertaining story



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Murder at the Palace by N.R. Daws
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1891 Hampton Court Palace. Housekeeper Mrs Lydia Bramble is informed that one of the inhabitants, Miss Philomena Franklin, has been found dead with a knife in her back. DI Cole of Scotland Yard is called in but Mrs Bramble believes she is better equipped and recruits Reverend Thomas Weaver to aid her in her investigations.
An entertaining and well-written historical cozy mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Mary Bennet and a Sister's Sorrow: Mary of Longbourn #7 by Carrie Mollenkopf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel where Mary's story continues. 1821 King's Cross Norfolk. Professor Henry Armstrong is presumed missing but he has actually been killed at a dig site . His pregnant wife Europa contacts her brother Dr Atlas Sutton, husband of Mary Bennet for help.
An entertaining story

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Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Twain Papers by Roger Riccard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1900 Samuel Clemens has had his notes concerning his autobiography stolen from his hotel room at the Langham Hotel. He approaches Holmes for help.
An entertaining Holmes mystery

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Silence, Part Two: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Selene L. Garrou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where the story continues with the four Bennet daughters have now been secreted away to Scotland. To remove them from the villainous plans of their parents, Wickham and Collins. Can they all be kept safe so that they can claim their inheritance and have a happy ending.
An entertaining variation

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Performance by Douglas Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Masters and his team have been asked to review eleven murders. One each month. But the local force have been unable to find a connection if there is one. Masters has a theory and the team travel to investigate.
An entertaining mystery

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Death By Gunpowder by David Field
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1605 Nottingham. It would seem that not all members of the failed Gunpowder plot are known. After a house fire caused by gunpowder Edward Mountsorrel is commanded by Westminster to find any others thar are in the area.
An entertaining historical mystery, ending this enjoyable series


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A Killer in Kensington by H.L. Marsay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

August 1918. A body of a female is discovered in Kensington Gardens, that of 22 year old Elizabeth 'Bessie' Clayton. Inspector Derwent and his team investigate ablely help by WPS Dorothy Peto. Then there is another death. But why and by whom. Is The Ripper really back.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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The Spitfire Murders: A Homefront Sleuths Mystery by Anna Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1941 At a local factory in Ashcroft where parts are made for spitfire planes, one of the security guards is murdered. Why? What had he found? Also a spitfire plane recently crashed, for reasons unknown. Inspector Nigel Brewster and the Homefront Sleuths all help in the investigation.
An entertaining cozy historical mystery. Well-written and with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review

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Winter's Cry by Cheryl Rees-Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the commune where detective Winter Meadows grew up, a body is discovered. Soon identified as their father Kern by items found with the body. But who was he really and was was he killed.
An entertaining modern mystery

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The Twelfth Floor by Michelle Kidd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2015 On the 12th floor of a tower block dismembered limbs are discovered. But this will only be the first. Macintosh and his team team investigate while his personal life is not going well
An entertaining modern mystery

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Planet of Judgment by Joe Haldeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stardate 6132.8. When the Enterprise comes across a rogue planet a shuttlecraft with a crew including Kirk lands on the planet only to find all their systems do not work. Several crafts later they are all marooned on this hostile planet when they meet the inhabitants.
An enjoyable re-read

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Echoes on the Fens by Joy Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It all starts with a suspected suicide but no one is convinced. Then a deliberate hit and run followed by a shooting. Is there a connection between the three or a coincidence. Various teams come together to solve the crimes including DI Galena and her team.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series

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Darcy and Elizabeth’s Valentine’s Meet Cute: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melissa Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation. February 1811. Darcy and Elizabeth collide in Hatchards while reading. Which is the start of their romance.
An entertaining story

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The Nightmare Murders by Gerald Verner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Robert Harcourt is told by a fortune teller that he will become a murderer that night. As he attends the 60th birthday part of Benjamin Frederick, will that come true
An enjoyable historical mystery
Originally published in 1940

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The Four Queens of Crime by Rosanne Limoncelli
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1938 A fund raiser ball for the Women's Volunteer Service is to be held at Hursley House, the home of Sir Henry Heathcote. Hosted by the four 'Queens of Crime'. But after the event the next morning there is a killing. Can the police and the four crime writers solve the case between them. But what is the motive.
The story didin't quite capture by imagination but overall is was an enjoyable historical mystery with its cast of varied characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Jewelled Eye by Douglas Clark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dr Arthur Hopcraft, cancer specialist, went missing last year, fears that his research will be obtained and taken abroad means that Superintendent Masters becomes involved under the heading of Operation Hosepipe. Several months later he recruits his team to help.
More a thriller than a mystery

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The Year in Between: A Sense and Sensibility Variation by Christina Morland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Sense and Sensibility sequel what does happen the year between the marriages of Eleanor to Edward Ferrars and Marianne to Colonel Brandon. Its 1810.
An enjoyable story

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Lies of Mine by Cheryl Rees-Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A body of a 31 year old male is discovered at Dinas Rock. He turns out to be one of the witnesses from a murder of 16 years ago, in the same situation. That killer has been released. DI Meadows and his team believe there is a onnection between the two events.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Spock, Messiah! by Theodore R. Cogswell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Planet Kyros Stardate 6718.1. Due to an implant experiment gone wrong Spock now believes he is the Messiah and the saviour of the world, as he kidnapped Chag Gara. Can the Enterprise crew correct the mistake and stop the killings.
An enjoyable re-read

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Dead Real by Helen H. Durrant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teenager Crosby disappeared several weeks ago and now his body has been discovered on the Hobfield estate. But why was he killed and an X carved on his body. Meanwhile seemingly stolen property is on sale ahead of their official date. Detective Calladine and his team investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Inspector French and the Cheyne Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1920. Maxwell Cheyne has had his home ransacked and now he has been kidnapped but eventually escapes. But why. What is that they are looking for.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT by John Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nephew Charlie Louden was convicted of attacking Jean and Robert Rawmarch. They are concerned as he will be released in a few days. Meanwhile a body has been discovered in an old carpet factory.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Mr. Bennet's Death by Elaine Burkett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy and the colonel are visiting Rosings when Darcy learns that Bennet has died. How will his behaviour and feelings towards Elizabeth change. Would have been more enjoyable to have more of the stories of the other Bennet ladies.
An entertaining variation.

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Dead Letter by Douglas Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI Green has received a letter from he presumes is an old war colleague. It details a murder. Can the team trace him, the victim and the murder.
An enjoyable mystery

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Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Poisoned Lilly by Roger Riccard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1890. Actress friend of Mary Watson, Lorraine Fontaine aka Lilian Fields, is concerned with a number of incidents that have befallen her.
An entertaining Holmes mystery

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Love and Murder Dance at the Bingley Ball by Glenna Mason
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice vaariation where a death occurs at the Netherfield ball. It is soon decided that he was killed. It seems that virtually everybody has a contribution to make to the investigate. Although an enjoyable story it does seem that the social mores of the day are forgotten.

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The White Friar by Gerald Verner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The White Friar seeing that the police never have enough evidence to convict criminal Alexander Kielmann decides to start killing his gang, leaving him to last. How many will he kill before the police can stop him. And who is he.
An entertaining mystery
Originally published in 1934

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Murder at the Orpheus Theatre by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


1859 Gemina Tate and Sebastian Bell are attending a performance of Romeo and Juliet. But the play ends with both actors actually dead. Bell and Tate start their investigation, with all the cast and employees suspect. Most with secrets to hide.
An entertaining and well-written Victorian mystery with its very 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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The Queen's Constables by David Field
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1572. Special Constables Lincraft and Bradbury are sent to London by Walsingham to infiltrate sea captains and the sailors to discover where Catholic priests are being landed. But that is just the start.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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A Knot of Sparrows by Cheryl Rees-Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An arson attack kills two people. Then Dr David Rowlands has disappeared, has he really left his wife.
Than a teenager is murdered. Is there a connection between all the events. DI winter Meadows and his team investigate.
an entertaining modern mystery

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