The Dante Connection by Estelle Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this well written book, for the characters and the puzzle they are trying to solve. Look forward to the next one

View all my reviews

Oliver Cromwell by Frederic Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First published in 1888, this book gives an account of the life of Oliver Cromwell. I have always found Cromwell an interesting subject and really enjoyed another view of this man. With quotes from Cromwell himself the author shows that Cromwell was probably a man ahead of his time, and surely it would have better for Cromwell 'to rule' rather than England suffer under the Restoration of Charles II.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Strange History by Bathroom Readers Institute
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting book to read if you want to learn strange facts about the world. A book that can be dipped in for a few minutes and then put aside. You would certainly learn something most times that you picked up the book. As someone who enjoys history this is a book for me.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Anne de Bourgh Manages by Renata McMann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, while staying at the Hunsford Parsonage, Elizabeth Bennet saves the life of Anne de Bourgh. As a reward Anne decides to help the Bennet family and herself.
Felt that this story could have been longer as at times it did feel a bit rushed.

View all my reviews

Marie Antoinette's Darkest Days: Prisoner No. 280 in the Conciergerie by Will Bashor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that I would have preferred to have read as an actual book because of the numerous footnotes, diagrams,and acknowledgements which are so much easier to read. together with the text, in a book rather than an ebook. (Well on my tablet anyway).
This is the story of the seventy-six days imprisonment of Marie Antoinette, her last 76 days. It looks well researched, and an interesting and easy read.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

The Odd Duck's Quest by Sempre libera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel, a Pride and Prejudice sequel and mix with Mansfield Park, tells the story of Mary Bennet as she decides to take control of her life resulting in her becoming into her own, while able to become friends with Georgina Darcy and Susan Price. There is also the story of Kitty and her attempts to marry.
I found this a very enjoyable read and liked the characters from Mansfield Park, and the new characters that we added.

View all my reviews

Judgment of Murder by C.S. Challinor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When barrister Rex Graves learns that Lord Gordon Murgatroyd, an old mentor has died he agrees to visit the daughter as she is suspicious of his death.
Is his death related to an old case or was his death a complete accident. Rex decides to find out.
A very easy and quick read with likeable characters.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Pacific Homicide: A Mystery by Patricia Smiley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

LAPD Homicide Detective Davie Richards is still working as she waits for the police commission to rule on her shooting of a suspect. Then she and her partner are called to the site of a possible murder. This is the story of them trying to find the killer of Anya Nosova.
I liked the style of writing and found it very easy to read as the story swept you along. I also didn't determine who the killer was. I also like portrayal of the characters.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Living Spectres by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

It's 1924 and crime reporter Poppy Thornton is trying to find her missing cousin, who had locked her in a room presumably leaving her there to die, only to be saved by her ghost friend Chesterton Holte.
But she is also investigating the disappearance in Eastern Europe of the heir to the Pearce fortune.
The book for me was too rambling, too much description, for example of food and clothes, and quite quickly lost my interest.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Wedding is Destiny, and Hanging Likewise by sqbr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the story of the growing friendship of Mary Bennet and Anne de Bourgh. A friendship that develops into more, against the constraints of society.
The story may not be for everyone, but there is no 'mature content'.
But it was a story I enjoyed.

View all my reviews

Strange Things Done by Elle Wild
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winter has arrived in Dawson City, Yukon and Jo Silver, sacked from her previous post, is the new editor of the Dawson Daily. As the newcomer Jo is the talk of the town and within a few days a body is found, a possible suicide, and Jo becomes suspicious of everybody, but she becomes the prime suspect.
The more I read the more I become involved in the story and characters, as it drew me in, though Jo did make some bad decisions.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Miss Bingley Ruins Herself by jaufanfic
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this short Pride and Prejudice variation Caroline Bingley plots a compromise while at Pemberley.
An engaging tale of Miss Darcy coming out as a confident young lady.

View all my reviews

The Darcys of Derbyshire: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Abigail Reynolds
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this short Pride and Prejudice novella as Elizabeth is touring with the Gardiners she meets Darcy at the Black Rocks in Derbyshire. As he walks with her to the top of the tor he tell the story of his parents' courtship and the significance of the tors,
An engaging quick read.

View all my reviews

A Lesson in Love and Murder by Rachel McMillan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this second of the series (I have not read the first) it's now Toronto 1912 and Herringford and Watts have been hired by a Mountie, Benfield Citrone, to find his friend and cousin Jonathan Arnasson who he suspects of being an anarchist. So we have The Morality Squad, being fired from your job for getting married, corruption, assassination attempts, as the detectives and their friends go on their adventure from Toronto to Chicago.
An interesting and enjoyable read with characters I suspect will grow on me as I read more of the series.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

In South London, Detective Erika Foster is called to a crime scene - a man has been discovered bound to a bed and with a plastic bag over his head. No motives are know, then a few days later as similar murder is discovered.
I didn't particularly care for any of the characters in the book and although it was well written, I don't like to find out the killer before the end of a book.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Siren by Celina Grace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Simon Farraday a respectable business man is found dead in his holiday let home. Unfortunately by his wife.
An enjoyable mystery as DS Redman and the rest of the squad sort out alibis, motives and opportunity, and cope with change it their personal lives.
The more I read of this series the more I like the characters which for me is important if I want to read the next book.

View all my reviews

A Practical Balance by Pathatlon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From a Danish writer a Pride and Prejudice sequel concerning Mary Bennet finding love as the whole family spends the winter months at the Darcy London home.
This novella is an enjoyable tale.


View all my reviews

The Secret of Lakeham Abbey by Sally Quilford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's England in 1948 and the Sullivan family are renting Lakeham Abbey. When Anna Parageter, the housekeeper admits to being guilty of murder, their son Percy wants to find the truth. So he asks that everyone who was in the vicinity at the time to write their recollections.
I enjoyed this well written murder mystery, and found the characters believable of that period. I liked that you saw the events from everyone's perspective.
A NetGalley book

View all my reviews

Behind Closed Doors - DI Beatrice Stubbs Book 1 by J.J. Marsh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Interpol find the same DNA at several suicide deaths a team is formed to determine the facts. Beatrice Stubbs a Scotland Yard detective arrives in Switzerland to head the team.
It was an interesting enough premise, but I didn't think that the dialogue always flowed and I was not totally convinced with the characters. I much prefer to find the guilty party right on the last page.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

The Stronghold by Albrecht Behmel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Willam Thell of Uree, from the free valleys to the east of France (Switzerland). He refuses to pay a new tax that has been levied, and is made to shoot an apple from the top of his son's head. So the legend of William Tell and the apple begins, and the rebellion against the Empire that held sway over these lands.
An interesting fictional account of a time (1300) I knew nothing about.
A NetGalley Book.

View all my reviews

The Blossoming of Flowers - A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Cornfieldsandcats
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this novella friendship blooms between Mary and Catherine Bennet, and changes them both for the better. Really enjoyed the story and the new characters that were introduced. The tale flowed really well.

View all my reviews

The Silent Dead: A Mystery by Tetsuya Honda
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When a body is discovered wrapped in blue tarp Lt. Reiko Himekawa and her team investigate. Whether the attitudes of the characters, and the process of the investigation is truly Japanese I don't know but I didn't like either. I find quite a lot of the writing stilted, whether this is the writing style or translation problems is also unknown.

View all my reviews

A Swan In Hiding - A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Skydancinghobbit
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the story of Mary Bennet discovering what it is to be loved. While visiting the Collinses with Elizabeth she is taken under the wing of Lady Catherine, and becomes friends with her daughter Anne.
This story does need a lot of editing, but as it is an unpublished work I have taken that into consideration when giving a rating, as I did enjoy the story.

View all my reviews

The Night is Deep by Joe Hart
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Ex-homicide detective Liam Dempsey now police consultant is asked my a friend to help when his wife is kidnapped for ransom. But when bodies turn up he has to decided if it is all connected.
I thought it was an okay story but never seemed to get me enthralled, I don't know why as it was well written.
A NetGalley book

View all my reviews

The Doctor of Broad Street: a Victorian tale of murder and mystery by Katherine Tansley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this easy to read story of the real Dr. Snow and his investigations into the cause of the cholera outbreak in London in 1854. There is also the story involving Dr. Frank Roberts, who works in Soho, as he is called in to perform a post-mortem on a body found in a cesspit. What is the mystery behind this body and is there any connection to the extended Bates family.
I liked the characters and I was surprised that this was a first novel as the dialogue read true, something that a quite a few writers do get totally wrong.
A NetGalley book

View all my reviews

The Forgotten Man by Schizophren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Here we have the Forgotten Sister but from Henry's point of view, so obviously there is some overlap of conversations. But still an interesting tale of the instant attraction of Henry to Mary Bennet and his desire to be married to her.
I enjoyed the story of how Mary became appreciated by a worthwhile gentleman.

View all my reviews

Mr. Darcy Bites Back by Mary Lydon Simonsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This Pride and Prejudice sequel concentrates on the first year of the Darcy's marriage when a rumour takes hold of a gigantic stag living in the local woods - a perceived threat to the werewolves of Pemberley - but who is spreading these rumours and why.
An enjoyable and quick read.


View all my reviews

Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Originally published in 1930, it took a bit of time to get into the style of writing, and I did find the phonetic dialect too much at times, and Campion's frivolity.
After many attempts on his life American Judge Crowdy Lobbett comes to England. Attempts, because he believes he has a clue to the identity of a criminal mastermind, enter Albert Campion with a plan to protect him and hopefully unmask the criminal.
A NetGalley Book.

View all my reviews

The Forgotten Sister by Schizophren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A sweet story of Mary Bennet as she visits Pemberley to stay with the Darcys. Can she ever find happiness, is there someone who doesn't see her as the 'plain' sister. Some new characters as you would expect. A short novel/long novella.
Loving all these Mary Bennet stories.

View all my reviews

Their Just Deserts by Botsey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A prequel to Pride and Prejudice with a 13,000 word story, about Collins quick ordination and his introduction into the society of the De Bourgh's. Poor Collins, can he ever be loved. A quick and easy read.

View all my reviews

Sacrifice of Innocence by Allison M. Cosgrove
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

For a published book I found some mistakes. I thought there was too much angst and past personal problems to make the main characters interesting or plausible, and certainly not enough about the murders.
A NetGalley book

View all my reviews

Breaking the Silence by SourApple326
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel Mary and Kitty find themselves in London staying with the newly married Georgiana Darcy. While Jane and Elizabeth are also in London with their families. Surprisingly Lydia and Wickham are still together somewhere in the North. An enjoyable tale of mistakes, and hopefully happiness for them both, with a few new characters are introduced.

View all my reviews

The Tudor Kings and Queens by Alex Woolf
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an introduction to a part of English history via the Kings and Queens of the Tudor dynasty. A very quick and easy interesting read, and I used it as a reminder of this period. If an interest has been raised there are many book published which give a lot more depth.
A NetGalley book

View all my reviews

Blood Secrets by Gretta Mulrooney
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Tyrone Swift, ex-policeman, and now private investigator is employed to found out who had attacked and left for dead a young man fifteen years ago. Along the way he discovers various secrets, but because of past actions there is an undesirable impact on his life. An interesting enough story but very few likeable characters to connect with or care about.
A NetGalley book.

View all my reviews

Harriet by CathyKing, Cathy King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With this Pride and Prejudice sequel, Mary Bennet wakes up after a accident suffering from amnesia. Without any preconceived ideas of who she is in the context of her family, the real Mary Bennet comes out, with the help of the Earl of Greycote and his mother. An interesting story with some new characters introduced.
This is fanfiction so there are mistakes in the story.
I am enjoying reading about the 'forgotten sister', and hopefully more with be written about her.


View all my reviews

Mr. Darcy's Bite by Mary Lydon Simonsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With this Pride and Prejudice sequel we start after the marriages of Lydia and Jane. And with Darcy being a visitor at Longbourn over a six month period. This is the story of Darcy telling Elizabeth his most guarded secret, (known only to those few of his family) and how she reacts.
Werewolves in any form is not a usual story for me and the trilogy by Ms Simonsen is probably the first.
An interesting story but I expect there will not be many more than I will read.

View all my reviews

Secret Crimes by Michael Hambling
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

At a weekend music festival a body is found on the shore. Its for DCI Sophie Allen to find the solution.
There was some reference to what I presume was an earlier book which could have been missed out as it wasn't pertinent to the plot, nor was all the personal background which was turning into political correctness, and I found Allen some what annoying.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

It Started with a Kiss: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Beth Wood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As Eizabeth Bennet is touring Pemberley with the Gardiners, Darcy arrives, and still thinking that he is dreaming, as he has been dreaming of Elizabeth all these months, he approaches her and kisses her in front of the staff and the Gardiners. Obviously they must marry. So the Darcys' are with her soon after Elizabeth receives Jane's letter concerning Lydia at the Lambton Inn.
An enjoyable and quick read, with enough variations from the original to keep my interest, though I could have dealt with a slightly longer book

View all my reviews

High Heatherton by Judith Thomson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's 1681, the time of Charles II, and this is the story of Philip Devalle, a second son fighting for the Sun King in France. But on being released from service he returns to England hoping to claim his family home of High Heatherton as his own. This is the story of how far he will go and the unfortunate consequences of his actions.
An enjoyable and interesting story, and the writing made it easy to read.
A NetGalley book

View all my reviews

When Mary Met the Colonel: A Pride and Prejudice Novella by Victoria Kincaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel at the wedding of Darcy and Elizabeth, the Colonel escaping from the attentions of Kitty 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.
Loved this tale. The only thing I didn't like was that it was much too short.

View all my reviews

Less Proud and More Persuasive: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella by Sophie Turner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This Pride and Prejudice novella begins at Rosings, on hearing Lady Catherine disparage Elizabeth, Darcy pens her a letter whereby he proposes marriage, in a less prideful way than expected. Can this persuade Elizabeth.
A delightful story

View all my reviews

Extended Candour by annielikesgreen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The continuing tale of Mary Bennet and Captain Denny in this short (4000 words) story. Unfortunately the tale has not so far been continued.

View all my reviews

Extended Conflict by annielikesgreen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The tale of Mary Bennet and Captain Denny continue in this short Pride and Prejudice story (13,000 words). A month after the Netherfield Ball the Lucases hold a ball to celebrate the engagement of Mr. Collins and Charlotte.
Could the relationship between Mary and Denny go more wrong.

View all my reviews

Extended Courtesy by annielikesgreen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A short (5,500 words) Pride and Prejudice story - at the Netherfield Ball Mr. Bennet persuades Captain Denny to cheer up Mary Bennet after her performance at the piano.

View all my reviews

On Oakham Mount: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Sophia Meredith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With this Pride and Prejudice tale, when Mr. Collins, after the Netherfield Ball, proposes to Elizabeth she is certain that her refusal will be endorsed by her beloved father. Unfortunately she is mistaken and Mr. Bennet insists she marries him. As she escapes to Oakham Mount she meets Darcy and they come to an understanding. But this is only the start of misunderstandings.
I enjoyed the character of Colonel Fitzwilliam, my only wish was that Mary was better represented, as the Colonel and Mary are my two favourite characters of Pride and Prejudice.


View all my reviews

Whitehall - Episode 3: "On His Blindness" by Barbara Samuel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The continuing saga of the marriage of Charles II - it's June 1662, and as with the first 2 installments there is not a lot of substance but entertaining enough. Though all three have been very quick reads.
A NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Whitehall - Episode 2: "Skilled Artifice" by Mary Robinette Kowal


An entertaining enough story of the fictional account of the first few months of the marriage of Charles II and Catherine.
A NetGalley book

View all my reviews

Through Every Storm: A Pride and Prejudice Novella by Leenie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ten years on from the end of Pride and Prejudice Lydia and George Wickham's marriage is in trouble. With there failure to communicate can they save their marriage, do they want do. Can Lydia prove her self worthy to the one man that loves her.
A Lydia grows up tale.

View all my reviews

Whitehall - Episode 1: "Embarkations" by Liz Duffy Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fictional account of the arrival of Catherine of Braganza to the England of her future husband Charles II.
An easy quick read.
a NetGalley Book

View all my reviews

Mr. Darcy - Bitten: A Prequel to Mr. Darcy's Bite - A Novella by Mary Lydon Simonsen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a lad Darcy of Pride and Prejudice has been bitten by a werewolf, his story begins here as the main characters converge at Rosings Park. Here at full moon Darcy becomes a werewolf which Elizabeth encounters as she is out looking for the full moon.
Look forward to the next installment.

View all my reviews