Charming Caroline by M.J. Stratton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel where Caroline Bingley is now Lady Caroline Harpwell, widow, after two years of marriage. She has been invited with the Bingleys to Pemberley for the Christmas season. There she meets an old acquaintance.
An entertaining story

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Not to Be Taken by Anthony Berkeley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

John Waterhouse, a healthy male unexpectedly dies after several days of illness. His brother is not convinced it was a natural death and insists on a post-mortem. What will be found. What will friend Douglas Sewell discover.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1938

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The Durham Deception by Philip Gooden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1874. The Ansells travel to Durham, Tom on company business concerning the dagger of Locknow, and Helen to discover the extent of her aunt's financial involvement in a medium Eustace Flask.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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Broken Music by Marjorie Eccles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1919. Ex-D,S, Herbert Reardon decides to re-investigat the death of Marianne Wentworth presumed accidental drowned back in 1914. But when there is another death is it related.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Miss Gardiner Got Herself a Husband: A 'Pride and Prejudice' Prequel by David Nickleby
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel where we read how Miss Gardiner married Mr Bennet. Not sure I recognise the characters.
Overall a quick read

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Rope's End, Rogue's End. The Robert Macdonald Mystery. Illustrated by E.C.R. Lorac
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wulfstane Manor home of the Mallowoods. The first reunion in many years brings about a suicide. Then why is Detective Macdonald of Scotland Yard brought in to investigate. Is it pure coincidence that another death occurs.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1942

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The Modern Mother's Day Survival Guide by Laina Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this modern day Pride & Prejudice variation, the Bennet daughters are older, Mary as the only unwed one is now 40. This is the story of the trials and tribulations of Mothers Day for the various families.
I admit I am not a fan of modern variations but this had my favourite couple (Mary and Richard) so I had to be read it.
An entertaining re-read of this story again. And again.

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When Mary Met the Colonel: A Pride and Prejudice Novella by Victoria Kincaid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel, at the wedding of Darcy and Elizabeth, the Colonel escaping from the attentions of Kitty Bennet and Maria Lucas, rushes into the Longbourn garden. There he finds in a sheltered spot Mary Bennet. Has the Colonel finally found an intelligent lady, has Mary found some one who appreciates her.
An entertaining and delightful and well-written story which I have read many times
Loved this tale though would have wished it to be much longer. For me the best of this author's stories.
Another re-read, a yearly event

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Elizabeth: Secret Heiress by Sharon Garrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, when the treatment of Elizabeth by Mrs Bennet comes too much (as usual Mary's treatment is to be ignored) Mr Bennet sends her to the family of her godmother, the Fitzwilliams. Where Elizabeth discovers she is a very wealthy heiress. How will this affect the rest of the daughters.
An entertaining story

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Death of a Nobody by J.M. Gregson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Carpenter, Charlie Pegg, but also a police informat for Superintendent Lambert. His job means he can collect secrets. Was that why he was killed. That is the first murder Lambert and his team investigate but not the last.
An enterataining mystery
Originally published in 1995

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A Killing Near Waterloo Station by Lynn Brittney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1915. Tension is high in London and foreign establishments are being attacked. Meanwhile 2 females and 2 baskets of pigeons have disappeared from a guards' train compartment. The team investigate.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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Old Evil: An Angel & Kincade Mystery by James Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ex-detective, now p.i. Charlie Slater is shot dead in his car on Lepe Beach. But what in his latest case could have caused his death. Any connection to Alderney and WW2.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Murder in Bloody Weald: A Redmond and Haze Mystery Book 16 by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

September 1869 The body of crime boss Tristan Carmichael is discovered in Bloody Weald, the son of leader Lance. Redmond and Haze investigate but will this be the only death, and will this finish in time for Daniel's wedding.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

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Trial and Error by Anthony Berkeley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On being informed that he probably has only a few months to live Lawrence Todhunter decides that he will murder someone. Someone who is doing more harm than good. His first victim dies before he can act. But who will be next.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1937

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Death Makes a Prophet by John Bude
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1940s. The religious group The children of Osiris reside in Walworth Garden City, where there is an attempted murder, theft and blackmail. Then actual deaths.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1947

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Watermarked by J.M. Gregson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The body of a female is discovered in the river Severn, dead some days, strangled. Business woman , wife and mother Mrs Laura Pritchard is identified as the body. But why was she killed. Superintendent Lambert and DS Hook investigate.
An enjoyable mystery
Originally published in 1994

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Death of a Footman by Wendy Soliman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summer 1872. First a male body has been discovered in Clapham.Then Lady Ida Randall requests the help of Lord Riley Rochester as her latest favourite, a footman, has disappeared.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Twelve Dates with Gentlemen Friends: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Reimagining by Kimbelle Pease
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A modern day variation of Pride and Prejudice. Various Kappa mothers have named their offspring after characters in The Novel and have for years tried to arrange them to meet. Now they have been in the same town for some time but how will Jane, Elizabeth and Mary Baker plus Charlotte Perth met their counterparts. Until one day Elizabeth not knowing this makes a move.
A fin read.

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Killjoy by Gail Meath
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1923 It all starts with the death of a chorus girl at the New Amsterdam theatre. But that is only the first. Who is the murderer, and is the theatre haunted. Diamond is also looking into the apparent suicide of a journalist.
An enjoyable mystery

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The Affair of the Christmas Card Killer by Jack Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1919 Lord Kit Ashton has been invited for Christmas by Lord Arthur Cavendish and his two granddaughters. Guests also include Lady Emily, widow of second son Robert, and their son, Henry, the heir, and Eric Strangerson.
An entertaining historical mystery


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Mary Bennet and the Schoolhouse Scandal: Mary of Longbourn #9 by Carrie Mollenkopf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel it is now 1824 and the latest Meryton Schoolmaster, Mr Sheridan, has accepted a new position, yet another master lost to the school. But now 16 year old Rebecca Walford has disappeared, again. Is there a connection. Constable Andrew Campion and Mary Bennet Sutton investigate.
An entertaining story

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Sarek by A.C. Crispin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sarek has a decision to make, as he belives there is a threat to the Federation. To prove this he must break Federation law. Then he is called to a peace conference with the Romulans but his wife Amanda is dying. As he leaves her he takes her diaries with him to read. But what of Peter Kirk, nephew to James T. Kirk.
A well-written and entertaining re-read

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Double Cross by Renee Pawlish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ellis Dukakis hires Webb for a surveillance job but unfortunately for Webb neither are trustworthy.
An enjoyable short story

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Murder At Eight by Renee Pawlish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1951. Chet Inglewood, friend of Dewey arranges a met, when he fails to show Dewey goes looking for him. Unfortunately he has been badly beaten, but why. Webb investigates.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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The Corpses at Waterloo by Lynn Brittney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

September 1915. At the London Necropolis Railway Station, the team find a female body draped over a coffin. On opening all the coffins there are a few surprises and events to investigate by the team.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast oflikeable and varied casts. Another enjoyable mystery to this series.

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Arsenic and Old Lies by Benedict Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

July 1928, when the body of Gilbert Baines, fiance of Lady Bella, is discovered in his flat, Quin is warned off investigating. He becomes interested in the fifteen year old trial of Mrs Felicity Mortimer, who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her husband. It doesn take long for a death related to the case to occur and vital documents stolen. Soon Lady Bella becomes involved as well.
An entertaining and well-written historical cozy mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good mystery in this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Children in The Shadows by Stuart S. Laing


1745 A story of child prostitution in Edinburgh. Can Robery Young and the Town Guard find the culprits

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The Missing Wife: A 19th century Parisian mystery by Donna Gowland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1814 Shelley and Mary Godwin with her sister Jane run away from his marriage and her boredom, and travel to Paris, with no realistic plans how they are going to live without money. They are directed towards a M. Lamont who hires them to find his missing wife Claudine.
They all come across as particularly unlikeable.
An enjoyable mystery

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Gentlemen Murder Blondes by Lawrence J. Epstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1942. Jack Ryder's first case occurs when a killer sends him a letter and then the location of the first of his kills, a blonde female. The second case when a mystery man wants him to trace a missing female.
An entertaining mystery

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The Heart of Jane Bennett: A Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction by Chelsea Fraisse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice short story what does Jane think of the events.
An enjoyable tale.

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The Revenant: An Angel & Kincade Mystery by James Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Apart from being a wealthy ex-drug dealer is there another reason why Roy Lynch has been murdered. But that is only the start. D.I. Angel and his team investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Death on the Riviera by John Bude
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Inspector Meridith is sent to the French Riviera to investigate a counterfeit ring. The aim to locate Chalky Cobbett, forger. With the help of Inspector Blampignon and his team.
An entertaining mystery
Originally published in 1952

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The Lost Letter: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Florence Gold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where at Netherfield after the party have left, Elizabeth happens upon an unfinished letter from Darcy to the Colonel. But the Hunsford proposal has the same result. How will Mrs Gardiner's friendship with the Viscountess Doncaster, daughter-in-law of the Matlocks affect the Bennets, especially Mary.
An entertaining story. Another re-read

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Murder in an Italian Castle: A 1920s Mystery by Benedict Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1929. Christopher and his grandfather Lord Edgington are finally off on their European tour. They arrive just in time at Castello di Monegufoni, Tuscany to witness the death of Renwick, Lord Monroe.
An entertaining historical mystery. A good start to this new series with old favourites

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The Triumph of Anne Elliott by Deborah E. Pearson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Persuasion variation can Anne Elliott be persuaded to not marry Commander Wentworth at a young age,
An enjoyable short story

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Best Destiny by Diane Carey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

16 year old James Kirk goes into space for the second time, but this time with his father. Will his experiences be as destructive as the first. How will it help,him 45 years later.
An entertaining and well-written story. A re-read.

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Murdered on a Wednesday: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery by Jaime Marie Lang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation. When Lady Catherine summons Elizabeth to Rosings early one morning, she suddenly dies in Elizabeth's arms. Then the rumours begin. Can the Colonel, Darcy and Elizabeth determine if she was killed, and if so by whom, while the latter two get to know each other better.
A bit too obvious who the killer was.
Overall an enjoyable story

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A Change of Heart: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by E.A. Batten
My rating: 5 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 in my quest to read a Colonel and Mary pairing

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Stranglehold by J.M. Gregson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There is a possibility that there is a serial killer in the area. Lambert and his team investigate, but with several suspects and a lack of motive, how many females will die before they are caught.
Unfortunately my very early suspicions were confirmed
Originally published in 1993

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Death of a Matriarch by Wendy Soliman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

May 1872. Riley Rochester is now a DCI and he has been called out to the suspicious death of seventy year old Violet, Lady Pemberton. Having just celebrated her birthday her three daughters with their families were staying at the house. Secrets are exposed but who is the guilty party.
Entertaining historical mystery

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