The Peculiar Incident at Thistlewick House by Jenni Keer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1895 Barnabas Shaw sends a message to his cousin, spiritualist Edward Blackmore, as his wife Emma seems to be possessed. Eventually he arrives at Thistlewick Tye, but he is too late. Soon he becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding a circus back in 1855.
An entertaining and well-written historical Gothic mystery with its cast of interesting characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1937 Mr Shaitana, states that he collects murderers which have got away and invites 8 people to a dinner party followed by bridge. The guests consists of four different kinds of detectives and four possible murderers.
An entertaining mystery


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Family Affairs by Clare Jayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1795 Padraig and Fiona McDonald are asked by her sister-in-law Mrs Anne Chiverton to help her brother. It seems Steven Carruthers is in trouble and soon he is arrested for murder.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

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The First Mrs. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation the day after the disastrous Hunsford proposal, Darcy meets Anne de Bourgh in the grounds of Rosings, where after some conversation she proposes marriage but with conditions. How does this affect the futures of various families.
An entertaining story.

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Murder At The College by Victor L. Whitechurch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Francis Hatton arrives at the St. Oswald's College at Exbridge for the monthly meeting of the Consultative Committee for the diocese works but is murdered in the room during their lunch break.
DS Ambrose investigates.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally published in 1932

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Swordhunt by Diane Duane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ael of Bloodwing has stolen the sword, the symbol of Romulan power. Now the Enterprise hs been sent to meet with the diplomatics of Romulan. .
An entertaining story, to be continued
Book 3 - Rihannsu

Book 1 -My Enemy, My Ally
Book 2 -The Romulan Way
Book 4 - Honor Blade

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A Bloody Banquet: by Gail Meath
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

May 1938. At the Awards Banquet ceremony, the first body is found in the ladies restroom, stabbed. The second, a male, floating in the pool, strangled. In both case minutes later the bodies had disappeared. Can Vivian and Preston, with the help of friends, work together to solve the mysteries.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. A good second book in the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A celebration of the birthday of wealthy Mrs Rosemary Barton ends in tragedy. By the end of the evening she will be dead, deemed a suicide by cyanide. But was that the correct verdict. One year later with the same guests and the same restaurant there will be another death.
An entertaining mystery

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Black Notice by Joy Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Five bodies discovered in a war time pillbox keep the team busy plus a kidnapped young man, and a parolee, a computer hacker, gone missing.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its likeable characters

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Much Ado About Darcy: Steamy Pride and Prejudice Variation by Andrea David
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Jane is the heiress to Longbourn. So how will this affect the behaviour of Bingley and Wickham. Can Elizabeth and Darcy save Jane to give her a happy ending.
An entertaining and well-written story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.


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Mary Bennet: The Vicar’s Secret: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Clara Ashbourne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where a new vicar arrives in Meryton. how will this effect the future for Mary Bennet
A delightful story

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Deep Water: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Vivien Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel where Mary Bennet has been corresponding for several years with an Adrian Carter, a rector from Tersham. In response to an article he published. He arrives at Longbourn ready to propose to Mary. But will this arrangement work and what trials will they face.
An entertaining and well-written story

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A Killer On Christmas Cay by Bruce Hammack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Business secrets stolen and a murder of an employee lead Smiley and McBlythe to hire an Caribbean Island for a week and invite the suspects from her father's company, plus the equivalent department heads from hers. Can they solve the problems within the timescale.
An enjoyable modern mystery

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The Saint Valentine's Day Murders by Ruth Dudley Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Civil servant Robert Amiss has unfortunately been moved to the British Conservation Corporation in the purchasing department. He is not welcomed by the staff. The delivery of chocolates on Saint valentine's day causes the death of several people by strychnine which the police believe is connected to someone in the department
An entertaining mystery
First published in 1984

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The Return of Moriarty by Jack Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It would appear that Moriarty has survived the Falls though badly injured, only to appear at Schloss Alber, home of Lord Franz Alber and his offspring, as Hugo Strahm. Clara Mendel also returns to her dead stepfather's home to be confronted with the loss of the sword Dauerhaft, the priceless family heirloom. Working together and apart can they discover it and also solve various deaths.
An entertaining and interesting well-written historical mystery with its cast of diverse characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Death on Skye by Aline Templeton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DI Kelso is still recovering from the death of his wife and unborn child, when an opportunity comes he is sent to Skye to investigate the disappearance of a female employed at the Human Face charity. Then a death occurs.
An entertaining modern mystery. A good start to this new series

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Moments Frozen in Time: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melissa Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where at the Meryton Assembly just as Darcy was about to start his insult to Elizabeth he hears the voice of his mother. How will that change his future, and when Elizabeth hears her grandmother how will the future of the Bennet sisters change. Especially with the actions of the Bingleys.
An entertaining and well-written story

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The Case of the Karnak Killer by Sean McLachlan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winter 1919 Wall is hired to find the blackmailer of American Charles Beechcroft, after his original detective is murdered. This leads to the boat Arabia and a journey to Luxor. But who are the real enemies.
An entertaining historical mystery with its likeable characters

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Detective on the Moor by Ric Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ex business partner has accused Thomas of wealthy family the Wentworth-Scotts of murder. That of Freya Harrison at a party during lockdown 3 years ago. The family want Ward to verify that it was suicide. Than it becomes complicated.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Dig Deep For Murder by Bruce Hammack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Smiley's stories have been published under anothers name. What action can he take. Meanwhile McBlythe's latest project is halted when a body is discovered at the building site. They investigate in opposition to the police.
An entertaining modern mystery



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A Sherlock Holmes Alphabet of Cases: Volume 5 by Roger Riccard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1. The Uniform that wasn't - 1882 - Charles Roberts ha not heard from his army friend for sometime and is concerned.
2. The Victorian Principles - 1894 - Thomas Hardy approaches Holmes as he has received threatening letters and been shot at.
3. The Wyrt Resolution - Lady Lydia Wyt's story is concluded.
4. Xavier Madison's Lost Treasure - Spencer Madison's uncle's treasure has not been found.
5. The Adventure at The Great Yorkshire Show - 1920 - Two Royal princes will attend the show and need protection.
6. The Zuchan Family Plot - William Zuchan is found hanged. Holmes says murder. The inspector suicide, but why does he not agree.
Entertaining short stories

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Darcy and the Twins by Don H. Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, because of an accident on Pemberly grounds Elizabeth is forced to stay, and Kitty comes to join her and stays as one of the Twins. There are three different and separate pov - Darcy, Catherine Bennet and Georgiana Darcy. A story of Kitty and Georgiana with the ever so perfect Elizabeth which does get somewhat boring. Unfortunately no bad characters like Caroline Bingley.
An enjoyable story.

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Murder at Holly House by Denzil Meyrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1952 After many mishaps Inspector Frank Grasby is sent to the village of Elderby to investigate a series of thefts from the estate farms of Lord Damnish. But he discovers a body in a chimney at Holly House. Then another death occurs. What is really happening in the area. But his investigation doesn't always go as planned, and he is attacked several times.
An entertaining historical mystery but not too sure about the character of Grasby. I am curious to see how his character is developed. So a decent start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Mr. Churchill's Secret: A Variation on Jane Austen's Emma by Hailey Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Emma variation. Before returning to Enscombe, Frank Churchill calls on Emma and declares his love and secret engagement to Jane Fairfax. As he is convinced that Emma had guessed. Now what will Emma do.
Entertaining short story

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The Winter of Our Discontent: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Grace Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1811. A Pride and Prejudice variation where at the Metyton Assembly it would seem that Elizabeth Bennet compromised Darcy and the result is a marriage in which he hates her for for what she has done, and now how he is perceived by others. So he treats her with coldness while Elizabeth tries to be a good mistress of Pemberley and sister to Georgiana.
An entertaining story

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Slow of Wit: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Vivien Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where unfortunately for Mary Bennet she has a stutter. But this does not mean she is not intelligent but needs more time to formulate her thoughts.
A delightful story

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Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Christmas time - Six people who are all alone, all failures in their business and personal lives, all in some way connected to crime, are invited by the Midwinter Trust in the Pennines to solve a fictional murder mystery. But why would they be minutely screened before invited and to what end. Will the prize be worth it. What is the mystery that the Trust seem to be hiding. But it is too late for them all when the first death occurs and they are all snowbound.
An entertaining and interesting well-written modern mystery, with its cast of distrustful characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Maxwell's War by M.J. Trow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1977 gay 61 year old Tom Sparrow is found dead. In 1998 Maxwell is historical consultant to a film company, when during filming a death occurs, then another in a hotel room.
An entertaining mystery

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A Rage of Souls by Chris Nickson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1826. Westow has been employed by James Barton, to watch ex-convict Frederick Fox. As Fox swindled him earlier in the year but escaped justice. But then Westow discovers a body. But this will only be the first. Who is Fox and what is his aim in being in Leeds.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. 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 Fatal Engine by Harriet Smart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1841 Once again murder comes to Northminster with the death of inventor Benjamin Roper. But he will only be the first to die.
An enjoyable mystery but Eleanor Caswell is definitely unlikeable and Caswell for a man of his age a bit more maturity

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Requiem by Lucrezia*
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A modern and long Pride and Prejudice variation which is not my usual read. But I enjoyed the story and especially the pairing of Mary Bennet. Though I would have liked more about them.
An entertaining story


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The Seventh Proposal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Cathleen Earle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where Elizabeth is constantly overly cheerful and Darcy much too romantic. Very little angst. Rushed through to see when the Colonel would met Mary. That romance was very disappointing written.
Overall an enjoyable story

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The Long Delayed Revenge: London's East End is becoming a warzone... by David Field
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1899. While gangs are taking over London's East End, Esther Enright faces a few problems at her new school, graffiti, ghosts and then a missing pupil.
An entertaining historical mystery

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What Happened After Lambton: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melissa Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where Wickham is under the watch of Colonel Fitzwilliam. And the Gardiners and Elizabeth are visiting Pemberley. Here Elizabeth meets Darcy and quickly get engaged. How will this affect the Bennets' futures
An enjoyable story

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A Murder in Trinity Lane by Magda Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1889. St Agnes Home for Unwed Mothers is a cause close to Lady Rosalynd. So when one of the girls, afraid 16 year old Elsie Leonard, is murdered she decides to investigate. Along with Warwick, Duke of Steele who has his own private problem to deal with, the disturbing behaviour of his brother Phillip. But Rosalynd is unaware of the dangers that lurk unlike Warwick.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting characters. A good second book to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Crime in the School by Catherine Moloney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hope Academy Bromgrove. Ex ground man now Assistant Head is found dead by English teacher and girlfriend of DI Markham, Olivia Mullen. Then there is another death at the school. The team investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery

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The Ladies' Lounge by Graham Brack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The investigation into a bad smell from an apartment leads to the discovery of a body. That of Dominik Vitek, the ex owner of among other businesses The Ladies Lounge. Who did many favours for the members, but why. So why was he murdered. Captain Slonsky and his team investigate.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its lovable main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

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Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London 1840. Lady Caroline Morton receives news that there is a claimant to the vacant title of the Rarl of Morton. Left unclaimed since the death if her father. Her employer Mrs Frogerton invites this family, the Scuttons, to stay until the claim is verified. Then the sister is murdered and her husband and his brother implicated. Inspector Ross investigates while Caroline and Mrs Frogerton ask questions.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters. 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 Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

October 1940. A theatre company has descended on Oxford to perform Robert Warner's latest play. Then a murder occurs at the college in a room below that of Professor Gervase Fen. But how and by whom.
An entertaining historical mystery.
Originally published in 1944

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A Devil in Silk by Adele Clee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clara Dalton, blinded in one eye has a list of desires to complete before she will retire to the country. Bentley Lord Rutland, engaged by family obligation to a lady he dislikes, helps her with her first, that of attending a séance. But when a murder occurs there and Clara is the main suspect they are both recruited to The Order to investigate. Will it be possible for both to find their own happiness.
An entertaining and well-written /historical mystery romance with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series. Does content mature content.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary by Mirta Ines Trupp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1812 An Emma variation where Harriet Smith, 17, has spent the summer with the Martins, a family of Jews. We learn more of their history and the thoughts of Harriet. But what will be the consequences when Harriet learns her history.
An interesting variation

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Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer by Colleen Gleason
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London 1898. The Tripleys are hosting a dinner party to unveil a recent portrait of Trudy Tripley. When after dinner in a locked study room a murder occurs. Irene, Lady Darling decides to investigate while also sponsoring Miss Priscilla Bedwith for a season. Will she discover the murderer before Scotland Yard's detectives.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. A good start to this new series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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The Templeton Case: A Detective Story by Victor L. Whitechurch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The body of Reginald Templeton is discovered on his hired boat, moored at Marsh Quay. Detective Sergean Coulson investigates the various suspects but will he discover the culprit.
An entertaining historical mystery
Originally Published in 1924

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The Retirement Murder by David Field
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1898. It's finally time for Percy Eneight to retire and so a party has been organised. Unfortunately Chief Superintendent Montague is killed by cyanide. The two Enrights investigate.
An entertaining historical mystery

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The Secrets of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Holiday Tale by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Emma variation wher George Knightley unfortunately believes he is more like he father than he thought. As he thoughts stray to Emma. But is that really true.
An enjoyable story

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Two for Joy by Mary Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

C6th. Muchael, leader of pilgrims insists on an audience with Justinian 1. On refusal holyman spontaneously combust. John investigates but more will die.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Strange Happenings at Longbourn: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by M.J. Stratton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where after the Meryton Assembly Darcy offers his apology. Meaning that Elizabeth can confide in him about the strange occurances at Longbourn. Items that have gone missing and footsteps heard at night, enough to upset not just the Bennets but also the servants. Can an explanation be found or will the events accelerate. How will this affect the relationships beween them all.
An entertaining and well-written cozy mystery and romance with its cast of likeable, and varied characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Missing on Ilkley Moor by Ric Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ex-DCI Henry Ward, finds a pink child's hat with blood on it. Later he discovers that eight year old Elisa Rhodes has gone missing. Has she even kidnapped. Her mother seems unconcerned.
An enjoyable mystery

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Corridors of Death: A Robert Amiss Mystery #1 by Ruth Dudley Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Civil Servant Sir Nicholas Clark, a Department Head, is murdered, a much didliked man. Detective Superintendent James Milton investigates. Fortunately for him he is helped by Robert Amiss, the Private Secretary to Clark,
An entertaining mystery
Originally published in 1981

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To Study a Long Silence by V.C. Clinton-Baddeley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr. Davie attends a student production at Winston School of Dramatic Art at the invitation of Mr Edward Pomeroy. The next day he is informed that one of the actors has been killed and the police requesting his presence among others.
An enjoyable mystery

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