The Harlot of St. Cecelia's by Darcy Graves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London, 1923. Librarian Eden Brior is accidentally locked overnight in the St. Cecelia’s Library vault with Simon Cross, only to emerge to find the police and the body of Cross's estranged actress wife.
Detective Inspector William Garrett and his team investigate but Eden decides to ask questions as she is a suspect.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting 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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Before She Knew Him: A Pride and Prejudice Short Story by Melissa Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where Elizabeth Bennet with the Gardiners are touring Pemberley where she mistakes Darcy for a gardener. The conversation is overheard by the elder Darcy who then invites them to tea.
An enjoyable story

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Murder-Two by Joyce Carol Oates
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lucille Peck is discovered brutally killed by her son Derek. Then he is charged with her murder.
Enjoyable short story

(Included in - Moment on the Edge, A: 100 Years of Crime Stories by Women edited by Elizabeth George)

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More Work for the Undertaker: A Masterful Mystery by the Queen of Crime by Margery Allingham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1946. Campion has been invited by Renee Roper owner of the Portminster Lodge as she is suspious about the death of two of her lodgers.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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Drood by Dan Simmons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1865 Charles Dickens is involved in a train crash near Staplehurst. In the wreckage he meets Drood and his life becomes entwined with him, and continues with Wilkie Collins.
An interestingand enjoyable story

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Moment on the Edge, A: 100 Years of Crime Stories by Women – A First-Rate Anthology of Mystery and Suspense by Elizabeth George
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Includes
1. St Patrick's Day in the morning - Charlotte Armstrong playwright Michael Brown helps a drunk female in a bar
2. The purple is everything - Dorothy Davis - During a fire Mary Gardner takes her favourite painting from the Institute
3. Money to Burn - Margery Allingham (1957)- Why dies a debt collector burn the money.
4. Irony of hate - Ruth Rendell - why the husband killed Brenda Goring
5. Wild Mustard - Marcia Muller - (1984) p.i.Sharon McCone is concerned about an old Japanese lady.
6. Jemina Shore at the Sunny Grave - Antonia Fraser - sent to make a programme she encounters murder instead
7. The case of the Pietro Andromache - Sara Paretsky - a stolen alabaster and a murder
8. Afraid All the Time - N. Packard- What is the result of Jane Baum being afraid all the time
9. A predatory woman - S. McCrumb - A child killer is released
10. Jack be Quick - Barbara Paul - Jack the Riper from poverty of Beatrice Wickham, wife of a vicar.
11. New Moon and Rattlesnakes - w.Hornsby - Lise has a plan but will it work
12. Death of a Snowbird - J.A.Jance - the effect of the discovery of an ancient pot
13. The River Mouth - L. Jance - What does it produce
14. A scandal in Winter- G.Linscott - can Holmes solve the death of Mr McEvoy of the pre ious year
15. English Autumn - American Fall - M.Walters - The American Newbergs take a holiday
Enjoyable short stories

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The Cliffs of Hertfordshire by Wade H. Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation - what if at the Netherfield Ball, Mary Bennet and Darcy collided - literally. What if that was Mary's breaking point after all the years suffering, emotional and mental abuse from all the family, while living as a Bennet, and she went straight over her personal cliff and left Meryton. What if it was found out that both Kitty and Lydia were 'increasing'. This is that story.
Overall this is such an enjoyable story. Another entertaining re-read. Another -re-read.

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