Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Emma sequel where it is now 1815. One Saturday, Mrs Emma Knightley, wife of the local magistrate, and her friend Mrs Harriet Martin entered the local church only to find the body of Mrs Elton, the vicar's wife, presumably murdered. Emma disagreeing with the direction the local constable and coroner takes decides to become involved or meddle as is her wont.
An entertaining and well-written cozy historical mystery with its cast of likable and easily recognisable characters. A good start to which will hopefully be a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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DEMANDS WITH MENACES: A 1950 Philip Bryce story by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1950 Newly promoted DCS Bryce is given a case of blackmail. Ten people have received letter stating that past misdemeanours will be exposed if he is not paid. Murder and suicide follow.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Gods in Londinium by John Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(100 A.D.) Ikaros Greek slave to Morganus, first Javelin of the Twentieth Legion has a few problem to solve. The death of Zephyrix the great racing driver, the riseo of a new religion which might be linked to the possible uprising of all the local tribes.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

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All Lessons Learned by Charlie Cochrane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1919 Dr Coppersmith is contacted by Mrs McNeil. She needs to know what really happened to her son, Lt Daniel McNeil, in Belgium during the war. As Coppersmith mourns the death of Jonty.
An entertining historical mystery.

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Trick of the Night by Joy Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ballard and Haynes, private investigators, are approached by the mother of dead Alex Hallam to investigate his and his flat-mate, Toby Unworth, deaths. Both photography students. The police state that it was an accident. But there are rumours of unknown events happening in the area. And what of nine year old Simon Burton and his aunt.
An entertaining modern mystery

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Crossroad by Barbara Hambly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stargare 6251.1 While patrolling a sector of space called the Crossroad Nebula the Enterprise meets the starship Nautilus who beam abroad the Enterprise claimingto be from the future, fleeing the Consilium. Then members of the Consilium arrive. Who is telling the truth and how will all their actions affect the future.
An entertaining re-read

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Rivalry & Reparations: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Caroline Cartier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Victorian Pride and Prejudice continues, so what does happen to Catherine, and who is meeting a 'gentleman' in private and how will this affect the family and friends of the Bennets.
An entertaining story.

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Elizabeth Bennet's Gallant Suitor: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation can Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy prevent the arranged marriage instigated by Sir Wesley Belwood between his nephew Colonel Fitzwilliam and his granddaughter Jane Belwood previously known as Bennet. A daughter from Mrs Bennet's first marriage. Do either Jane and the Colonel want the marriage or are there other options.
An entertaining and well-written story which thankfully other Bennet daughters stories were also told not just Elizabeth's. Though I would have prefered more time spent with Mary and possibly Jane.
A re-read. Again

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Sherlock Holmes and the Disgraced Inspector by John Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set 10 years after the Reichenbach Fall incident. Clayton was convicted 20 years previously for the disappearance of 5 young boys, now an appeal has overturned the conviction and he is out to sue Inspector Lestrade, only one left from 20 years ago. But now another boy is missing. But what of Sir Octavius Fotheringay and the several suspicious deaths in his family.
An entertaining Holmes mystery

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The Wheel Turns by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1982 Basil Railsdon, future MP for Loxford Village, while speeding kills a young child and then hids the body. But was he seen. Then he discovers he has a half-sister, Laura Raymond, one whom is certainly not of their set. On a visit it seems that thankfully for everyone involved she dies. Was it an accident. Pollard and Toye are brought in to investigate.
An entertaining mystery

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The Amateur Detective: A 1950 Philip Bryce mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1950 Hunstanton. A body of a female is discovered at the base of a cliff. Soon DCI bryce will be called in to investigate. But why was a popular and pleasant lady killed.
An entertaining mystery

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Murder of Innocents: A Redmond and Haze Mystery Book 14 by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Foxley of Fox Hollow requested Redmond and Haze to investigate as the bodies of two young children had been discovered. The young sons of the cook, John 6 and Bertie 4, were found in a chest in one of the bedrooms. Redmond suspects poison but by whom and why.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

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Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emily, 6 and Lisa, 4 are kidnapped from their grandparents home. But by whom and why. How many secrets will need to be exposed to find the guilty party. DI David Grant and his team investigate.
An interesting modern mystery

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The Nail by Jane A. Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DI Mike Croft is sure that there is a connection between a murder of 18 years ago, and the present one of 43 year old businessman Morgan Springfield. But what of Joanna Pearson, just released from prison for rhe murder of her husband, and her family.
An enjoyable modern mystery

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Troubled Waters by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1980. 28 year old American Edward Tuke arrived in the village of Woodcombe searching his family history but ends up dead. But why and by whom. Weeks later Detectives Pollard and Toye are called in to re investigate.
An entertaining mystery

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Chivalry & Chauvinism: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Caroline Cartier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and prejudice variation set in Victorian England. The story continues as it is now 1848 and Mary is slowly approaching her majority. How will this affect her. And what of the rest of the bennets and their friends and relations.
An entertaining story.

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Inspector French's Greatest Case by Freeman Wills Crofts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The body of head clerk Charles Gething of diamond merchants Duke and Peacock is discovered late one evening with the company safe open and diamonds and money gone. Inspector French investigates.
An entertaining historical mystery
(originally published in 1925)

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The Undiscovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Ted Riccardi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nine enjoyable short stories set between 1891-1894 after the incident at the Reichenbach Falls .

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Lessons in Seduction by Charlie Cochrane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1907 An ex-mistress of Edward VII has died, or was Lady Jennifer Johnson murdered. Dr Jonty Stewart and his father are off to Kent to investigate. Meanwhile Dr Orlando Coppersmith goes undercover as a dance partner at the hotel where Lady Jennifer lived.
An entertaining historical mystery

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The Drowning Men by Jane A. Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ex-police Ray Flowers is drawn into the drugs activity by the events happening at the Armitage Estate. I don't find drug stories that interesting.

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The Patrian Transgression by Simon Hawke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Enterprise is sent to the planet Patria 1 who has applied to join the Federation, but there exists a state of war between the telepathic police and a group of terrorists supplied with arms from the Klingons.
An entertaining re-read

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Death of a Matador by James García Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1977 While visiting Madrid, Paco Ruiz, ex-police detective, ex-soldier, recounts his last case to friend and business partner Charlie Woodend. In 1937, he reconnects with childhood friend Faustino Vargas, now a famous matador.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Murder at Docere House: A 1920s Cozy Mystery by Catherine Coles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1923 North Yorkshire. An old army friend of Christie's Ralph Gower is a teacher at Docere House but on visiting the school he is discovered dead. Christie is convinced that Gower was murdered, and on finding a clue he and Evelyn investigate as they follow the clues that Gower left. But what will they discover.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Murder Takes the Stage by Colleen Cambridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1930s The Christie's household have moved to London, but soon Phyllida Bright is called to the Aldelpi Theatre as her reputation has preceeded her, and where there has been a suspicious death. Then another, and so the Alphabet Killer or correctly the Alliteration Killer is born. Can she solve the case before another death.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable characters supported by a cast of varied personalities. Another good addition to this enjoyable series
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

(Such a pity that Americanisms have been used, it doesn't take much effort to use actual English)

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The Puzzle of Parham House: A 1920s Mystery by Benedict Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1928. A request from Elizabethan Parham Park owner Alicia Pearson, results in Lord Edgington and entourage arriving to hopeful solve some strange incidents. But soon there is a death. But that will not be the last.
An entertaining historical mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

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Pride & Precipitance: A Victorian Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Caroline Cartier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is 1847 in this Pride and Prejudice variation where Lady Elizabeth Astley, 25, is a widow of three years, mother to daughter four, with four younger half-sisters, sharing a father in Bennet who she is estranged from. Unfortunately it would seem that Lady Elizabeth Astley is so just perfect, she even has the midas touch as far as money matters go and becomes super rich, which she partly uses to protect her family. Elizabeth is not always likeable but I was interested enough in the possible pairing of Mary to continue reading and start Book Two.
So overall and interesting and entertaining Victorian variation.

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The Clamorous Dead: Is witchcraft or prejudice infecting Tudor England...? by David Field
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1596 Nottingham. During a hanging a woman curses the area of Gallows Hill and soon noises and spectres are seen. But what of the local woman deemed to be a witch, and why have these activities just now surfacing. (Edward's wife is somewhat of a harridan)
An entertaining historical mystery

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Something New to Observe A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Kimbelle Pease
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Mr Bennet takes action after Darcy's behaviour at the Meryton Assembly, in front of Bingley, the Colonel and his brother the Viscount. The three elder Bennet sisters and Charlotte Lucas have more accomplishments than canon. Can there be a happy ending for all the participants.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well-written variation, with its so many likeable characters. An entertaining re-read

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THIS VILLAGE IS CURSED: A 1940s DCI Bryce mystery by Peter Zander-Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A journalist at the Anglian Examiner, Marcus Cunninham, resident of Ashton village, is investigating the death of local rwtired solicitor, George Wilox, 66 year old widower, when he is lured to London. Then events lead to the involvement of DCI Bryce and DS Haig.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Smallbone Deceased by Michael Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In a sealed deed box in the offices of solicitors Horniman, Birley and Craine the body of a trustee Marius Smallbone is discovered. Dead probably some months. Chief Inspector Hazlerigg investigates helped by new solicitor Henry Bohun, when the next murder occurs.
An entertaining historical mystery with its cast of varied characters
(Originally published in 1950)

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The Unwilling Son by Jane A. Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Its been 11 years since 'Katie' survived but twelve died that day, but now she has run away because he is back. Ex-DI Ray Flowers of Flowers-Mahoney Investigations - may have a case. -The Eyes of God' and their new leader Martyn Shaw.
An entertaining modern mystery
(Originally published in 2001)

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Nothing To Do With The Case by Elizabeth Lemarchand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On the death of her uncle by marriage Virginia Gould, 26, is initially under suspicion because of her inheritance. Cleared she decides to move but her past catches up with her in the shape of cousin and antique dealer Nigel Kerslake, she acts foolishly in handling possible stolen goods. Then there is an arson attack and a death in the village. Pollard and Toye are sent to investigate
Not the best of the series as it takes too long in setting the scene.

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The Dead Assassin by Vaughn Entwistle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1895 (1897). Wilde and Doyle try to prevent the murder by a dead man.
Didn't really care for Doyle and Leckie moments in the book, reflects badly on Doyle

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Blood Red, Royal Blue: A Bastille Mysteries standalone thriller by Peter Stevens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1791. Paris. A series of deaths has occurred beginning back in April. Meanwhile the revolution continuing but there has been a series of Jewel thefts including thar of the crown jewels. set against the back drop of the revolution.
Anenjoyable historical mystery

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