Death in Ecstasy by Ngaio Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On impulse reporter Nigel Bathgate attends the religious meeting of the Sacred Flame. Unfortunately for him he witnesses a murder. Friend DCI Alleyn and his team investigate.
An entertaining historical mystery

View all my reviews

Wagon Train to the Stars by Diane Carey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Post V'Ger. Kirk and the crew of the Enterprie have been given a new mission. To escort a group of settlers to a distant world. But has that area of space already been claimed. What dangers will they face from external forces and internal.
An enjoyable re-read



View all my reviews

Dying to Know by Keith McCarthy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1970s When Dr Elliot is accused firstly of arson and then murder his son Lance knows he is innocent and aided (or hindered) by girlfriend Max they investigate. But Inspector Masson believes he has the right man
An entertaining mystery

View all my reviews

The Train to Hawksbridge by Julian Smart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1848 Thomas Rufford becomes embroiled in the mystery of the death of Yorick Ambrose when his wife is accused of his murder.
An entertaining historical mystery

View all my reviews

Crime In Retirement by Catherine Moloney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A death has occurred at the Rosemount Rwtirement Home where the new head of security is ex-DS Noakes. DI Markham and his team investigate. But soon there is another death
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery

View all my reviews

Best Served Cold: Seven Pride and Prejudice Revenge Stories by Wade H. Mann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1. Best Served Cold - Jane Bennet seeks revenge on Charles Bingley after he left Netherfield.
2. Paying the Piper - Who is calling Wickham out for his debts and behaviour.
3. The Prejection - At the end of the Netherfield Ball Darcy informs Elizabeth he has no intentions towards her.
4. Special Delivery - Who and why sends Caroline Bingley's letter to Jane to Darcy.
5. Cash on the Nail - Gardiner has a bill of sale from 'Darcy' and so visits him.
6. Their Own Snake - After Lydia eloped another daughter takes action.
7. Sleep of the Just - What will a Bennet daughter with an extra powerful sense do with this power.
Entertaining and well-written stories. Six and seven being my favourites

View all my reviews

Death of an Author by E.C.R. Lorac
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Secretary Eleanor Clarke reports her suspicions to the police. Where is novelist Vivian Lestrange and his housekeeper Mrs Fife. But another author has also disappeared. Detectives Warner and Bond attempt to unravel the mysteries.
An enjoyable historical mystery

View all my reviews

MURDER in the RABID DOG: A 1951 Philip Bryce mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1945 A murder occurs in the Rabid Dog pub of a Leonard Bowen by a blonde female. But it remains unsolved. Then in 1951, another murder, by a blond female. DCS Philip Bryce and his team investigate both cases.
An entertaining historical mystery

View all my reviews

Death on the Thames by Shiv Saywack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

April 1950 Alexandre Raven is employed to find Anna Blau, secretary at Goel Hadam. Friend and co-worker Saul Greenberg also wen missing the same time. But what of the missing Russian scientist Natalia Popov.
An entertaining historical mystery

View all my reviews

The Casino Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Members of the wealthy Llewellyn family suffer in varying degrees by poisoning. How many will die. Will the guilty be caught. Philo Vance investigates after receiving a letter stating a crime may occur.
An enjoyable historical mystery
Originally published in 1934

View all my reviews

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

Maxwell is on secondment to Grimonds school when the Head Of Tennyson is found dead. Did he jump from the roof of the building or was he pushed. DCI Henry Hall is also on secondment, and is for a time is in charge of the investigation until another death occurs.
An entertaining mystery

View all my reviews

Behind the Ivy: A Riveting British Crime Thriller by S J Richards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Luke Sackville and his Ethics Team have a few cases to deal with. As police consultants to a murder; for a friend, a missing person; online bullying and physical bullying from many years ago.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery

View all my reviews

A Fatal End by Faith Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1963 In the Bootleggers Club, home to budding musical groups, one of the band members is found dead. Official result is that it was accidental, but Coroner Dr Ryder is suspicious. He recruits WPC Loveday and they investigate.
An entertaining and well-written mystery

View all my reviews

The Man From Morocco: Have Spanish spies infiltrated the English court...? by C. P. Giuliani
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1589. On instructions, when the Moroccan ambassador arrives in England, Tom Walsingham is to escort him and his party to London and uncover the suspected Spanish spy. What could go wrong.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

View all my reviews

True Love Conquers All by Debra-Ann Kummoung
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Pride and Prejudice variation continues and concludes. Colonel Fitzwilliam's anger has cost him his engagement with Mary Bennet. When the Colonel goes back to the war what will Mary and by association her family do.
An entertaining story but then Mary and the Colonel are my favourite couple.
Another re-read of this delightful story. Again another re-read, a re-read

View all my reviews

True Love Never Fails... by Debra-Ann Kummoung
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation, what if the Bennets are not what their friends and neighbours believe. What if it is an act to ensure that all the daughters marry amiable men, men that love them despite their family.
It begins with Netherfield Hall being occupied by Charles Bingley. Soon to be joined by the rest of his family and Mr Darcy.
Another re-read and once again I really enjoyed this story, very much. Another re-read again.

View all my reviews

A Fatal Night by Faith Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1962 A New Year's Eve party results in a death when one of the guests is found in their car dead after hitting a tree. Due ro staff shortages WPC Loveday is given the case to investigate. With the help of coroner Dr Ryder will they determine whether it was an accident or not.
An entertaining mystery with its likeable main characters

View all my reviews

The Poison Typewriter: A 1936 detective mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1936 Aldon Longville village. After four poison pen letters have been received DCI Godwin and his team are called in to investigate. But then there is a murder.
An entertaining historical mystery

View all my reviews

A Lion's Ransom by Candace Robb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1377 The Goldsmith Guild decided to craft a golden lion to gift to the new king but it is stolen when it is not kept safe. But this mistake is not the only problem that Owen Archer has to deal with. There are rumours of spies in the area, and several deaths to also investigate. Is there aconnection between all the events.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this very enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Expectations & Apologies by Elizabeth Squire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where Elizabeth fails to hear Darcy's insult. How will this affect her behaviour when she attends Jane at Netherfield and later events. A shame that the most interesting pairing only got a passing mention.
An entertaining story

View all my reviews

The Meadows of Murder by Paul Doherty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1383 William the weaver after committing murder seeks sanctuary in Brother Athelstan’s church. Meanwhile members of the Fishmongers Guild are being murdered in possible retaliation. But what is happening at St. Osyth's Priory. Brother Athelstan and the coroner Sir John Cranston investigate.
An entertaining 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.

View all my reviews

DEATH OF A 'NIPPY': A 1939 David Adair mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1939 At two separate Lyons Corner Houses, one nippy has been poisoned and one has died. Superintendent Adair and his team investigates
An entertaining historical mystery


View all my reviews

Christmas in Kent: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Meg Osborne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Mr Bennet decides to accept Mr Collins invitation of Christmas at the parsonage. But who will be visiting Rosings and what will be the consequences
An enjoyable story

View all my reviews

A Whisper of Secrecy by Darcy Burke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1868 Private Investigator Tilda Wren is employed to find the stolen items from Mrs Goodwin's household. That and the death of an ex-police inspector leads her to investigate her father's dead ten years previously. With the help of Ravenhurst and Detective Inspector Teague. But as more deaths occur are they themselves safe.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery (with a touch of romance) with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

View all my reviews

Murder in Monarch Park by William Todd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1894 Braxton. Very wealthy businessman Earnest Dowland is found dead in Monarch Park. Also missing, presumed abducted, is his deaf and mute adopted daughter, 17 year old Abigail. Detective Percy Watts and Officer Milo Moffat investigate. In another case five prostitutes have disappeared.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its interesting main characters. A good start to this new series

View all my reviews

The Dolls at Heron’s Reach by Harriet Smart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1935. Two decaying bodies are discovered in the empty house that is Heron's Reach. Newly arrived DCI Will Fairfax, with the aid of Dr Magnus McQuarrie, police surgeon, investigate. But these will not be the only deaths that occur.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery.

View all my reviews

Sherlock Holmes: Before Baker Street by David Marcum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pre 1881
1. The adventure of the Blood Roses - J. Ganguly- holmes recalls the case of the death of his tutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, when he was 8, and Mycroft 15.
2. The Vingt-un Confession - D. Belanger - A beggar meets Holmes.
3. The adventure of the Gloria Scott - Sir A C Doyle - holmes first case concerning Trevor Snr.
4. The Affair of the aluminium Crutch - S. Subramanian - stolen diamond cuff links and a crutch.
5. The Adventure of the Dead Ringer - R. Perret - Holmes investigates the extortion of his tobacconist.
6. The Devil of the Deverills - S F Bennett - Lord Zeal needs Holmes help to explain the evil in the village.
7. The Painting in the Parlour - D. Marcum - A case from 1875 concerning a painting and possible treasure
8. The Incident of the Absent Thieves - A. Hall - Two thieves have been missing for two months.
9. Mr. Chen's Lesson - D. Belanger - The first encounter of Holmes and Chen where Holmes loses a bet.
10. The Adventure of the Amateur Emigrate - DD Victor - 1879 and Holmes meets R.L. Stevenson in New York
11. The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual - Sir A.C. Doyle - Reginald Musgrave's butler has disappeared utterly what of the family puzzle.
12. A Day at the Races - M. Mower - 1880 - teacher Geraint Hughes has a romantic problem to place before Holmes.
13. The Strange Case of the Necropolis Railway - G. Schear - Dr Stamford wants Holmes opinion of a male body from under a railway bridge
Entertaining short stories

View all my reviews

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. Again.

View all my reviews

WHERE IS DAISY BECK? and THE LONDON CLUB MURDER: Two wartime cases for David Adair by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1. 1939 Seven year old Daisy Beck has been evacuated along with 80 other children to Borough Green, but fails to arrive.
2. The London Club Murder - Sir Brandon Cummings while spending the night at his club, Maxton's, with five other members, is murdered in his bedroom.
DCI Adair and his team investigates.
Enjoyable historical stories.

View all my reviews

The Last Gift: An Austenesque Short Story by Don Jacobson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable short story where Jane Austen passes over to another realm ans meets her characters from her books.

View all my reviews

The Barrage Body by M.J. Porter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


1944. The Dunlop Rubber company has been subject to the theft of a trophy, the theft of secret papers and classified papers, and to round off the morning the illegal release of a barrage balloon with two people attached to the chain. Chief inspector Sam Mason and his team investigate.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series

View all my reviews

Secret Meetings by J.G. Harlond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1944 DS Bob Robbins is recruited to impersonate Winston Churchill, while the real Churchill is on a secret mission. Then there is a death for Robbins to investigate.
An entertaining historical mystery

View all my reviews

Death in Valletta by Lynne Marie Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1880 Edinburgh detective Sam McQueen is sent by the request of the Governor of Malta to invest the death of Admiral Collingwood, 74. Found in the garden of his home, Villa Porto, during his wife's soiree. Was he thrown from the upstairs balcony or not.
An enjoyable historical mystery

View all my reviews

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

2000. Its school reunion time for Maxwell and the six other pupils from Halliards School. But one didn't make it as he is found hanged inside the derelict school. Then another one is killed. Maxwell decides to investigate.
An enjoyable mystery

View all my reviews

A Less Agreeable Man by Maria Grace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The final part of the trilogy, and the best story of the three
A Pride and Prejudice sequel and Mary Bennet's marriage to Mr. Michaels is approaching. Lady Catherine's mental health is failing and Colonel Fitzwilliam is struggling with the ownership of Rosings and the debts of the estate.
Just loved this book. So well-written, loved the characters and the story. I just didn't want the book to end.
Another re-read of this wonderful story with my two favourite characters of JAFF

View all my reviews