Death and the Dancing Footman by Ngaio Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1940 Jonathan Royal of Highfold Manor invites a group of people to a house party knowing they all or mostly dislike each other. Then a blizzard occurs leaving them trapped with a murderer.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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A Matter of Means by Meg Osborne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Persuasion variation where Anne Eliot still has the note informing her that his brother Frederick Wentworth was dead. Years later Anne is now in Bath. But who does she see.
An entertaining story

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Captain Wentworth's Christmas Wish by Meg Osborne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Persuasion variation. Somerset 1814, post Lyme visit a day Anne Elliot is still staying at Uppercross. But what are the thoughts of Captain Wentworth as he stays at Kellynch Hall and his regrets. Until he makes a wish on a shooting star.
An enjoyable story

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Half the Sum of Attraction by Meg Osborne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Persuasion variation where Captain Wentworth visits his brother Edward at Monkford for the first time. How will his first meeting with Anne go. Meanwhile Elizabeth and Sir Walter await a visit from cousin Elliott.
An entertaining story

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Five Gentlemen at Netherfield: Pride and Prejudice Variations by Laraba Kendig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation due to the death of their aunt the Bennet daughters each have a dowry of £5000 except Mary who has £25,000. How will this affect their futures especially when five gentlemen arrive at the newly leased Netherfield.
An entertaining and well-written story

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Mr Wickham's Gallant Deed - A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rosemary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Elizabeth while out walking in the grounds of Rosings overhears an enlightening conversation between Miss Anne de Bourgh and George Wickham. How will this affect everyone's future.
An entertaining story

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The Secret of Saint Olaf's Church: An Apothecary Melchior Mystery by Indrek Hargla
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1409, Tallinn. Clingenstain, a former commander of the Teutonic Order in Gotland is killed, beheaded and his body found In the castle. Magistrate Dorn and apothecary Melchior investigate.
At times there was too much historical detail which dominated the mystery itself and made the reading heavy going and therefore losing interest.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.



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Death of a Fool by Ngaio Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winter Solstice in South Mardian is the time to perform the Dance of the Five Sons. Unfortunately by the end of the night one of the performers will be dead, murdered. Inspectors Alleyn and Fox are ca,led in to investigate.
An enjoyable historical mystery
Originally published in 1957

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Mystical, Magical Lizzy by Melanie Schertz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where various characters have magical powers and in the Bennet family it is Elizabeth. But these powers must be kept secret. When Darcy discovers this what will he do.
An enjoyable re-read though not enough about the Colonel and the other Bennets.

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Fate and Consequences: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Linda Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Georgiana Darcy elopes with Wickham with the result that she is ruined, and with consequences to the Darcy name as it becomes known among the ton. She is intercepted at Meryton by the Colonel and Darcy, where Elizabeth than aids Georgiana which is the start of their correspondence. This soon leads to an exchange of letters between Elizabeth and Darcy. It is a much humbled Darcy that gets to know Elizabeth. A Darcy that has been lonely all his life. The Bingleys and Darcys eventually arrive at Netherfield.
There is some mature content before marriage and after. For me there was actually too much of their interactions and would have been a better story without.
A re-read and it had been a very long while since I first read it.

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None So Accomplished as Mary: A Sweet Extras Novelette by Leenie Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel a year has passed and Mary is accompanying the Darcys to a ball where she meets the Colonel again. Can her strategy work as she interests the Colonel with a puzzle he believed he had solved.
An entertaining and well-written story with its very likeable main characters with its amiable supporting cast.

[Sequel to 'How to Marry an Accomplished Lady' which really should be read first, which should be read after - An Accomplished Lady (of the best sort).]

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How to Marry an Accomplished Lady: A Darcy and Elizabeth Variation by Leenie Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Elizabeth and Darcy have come to an agreement. But will their courtship be as smooth as Jane and Bingley''s. What of the interference of family and an old former friend. But Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Darcy have been invited to the Netherfield Ball, how will both interact with the Bingleys and especially the Bennets and Collins.
An entertaining and well-written romance story, with all the Bennets as varied and likeable characters.
Read again so as to read the sequel
Best to read after - An Accomplished Lady (of the best sort). Then read - None So Accomplished as Mary

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An Accomplished Lady (of the Best Sort): A Teatime Tales Novelette by Leenie Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Pride and Prejudice variation begins with Jane ill at Netherfield where she is cared for by Elizabeth. Can Bingley and Hurst convince Darcy that Elizabeth is the accomplished lady of the right sort to be perfect for him.
A very enjoyable and well-written story with its likeable characters, surprisingly that includes Hurst and Mrs Bennet.

[prequel to 'How to Marry an Accomplished Lady' and None So Accomplished as Mary]

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A Temporary Peace: A Persuasion Variation by Meg Osborne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story continues and concludes as Anne and Captain Wentworth leave Bath and return to Kellynch. Can they soon marry.
An enjoyable Persuasion variation

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Too Fond of Stars by Meg Osborne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Persuasion variation where eight years have passed since his failed engagement and now Caption Wentworth has returned to England and decides to visit Bath and his friend Samuel Lennox. Meanwhile the Elliott family are also in Bath including William Elliott.
An entertaining story

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Investigations of the Reverend Lyle Thorne by Ray Moore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sandition. The case of the
1. Fallen Woman - September 1911. The body of a woman is discovered at the base of a cliff.
2. Anonymous Cleric - April 1912 - A Catholic priest wants Thorne to prove the innocence of a Mr Scott from theft and murder.
3. Italian Bride - May 1913 - Why are items being stolen from the Roland's household.
4. Missing Betrothed - August 1913 - Wealthy Dominic Rufford's bride to be has gone missing.
5. Hanging Man - August 1927 - The Vicar of Upper Sandition is found hanging from the church bell ropes.
Enjoyable short stories

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A Fox Hunting Murder by Roy Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Northumberland. DCI John Crow is called in to an investigation. As during a fox hunt a body of a man was discovered. A hunt objector. But how and why was he killed.
An enjoyable mystery

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The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1900 A masked stranger approaches Emerson to tell him he knows the location of Queen Tetisheri's tomb. But when he disappears Emerson and his party must determine its location before grave robbers arrive. But who can they trust.
An enjoyable historical mystery with its likeable characters.

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The Belmont Affair by Karen Baugh Menuhin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1925. Alexander Wolfe, with his assistant Fox and valet Dicks are sent to Belmont Park. To investigate the death of banking heir, 33 year old Rupert Belmont, and the bank of Belmont and Chartwell. But what will they uncover.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its very likeable and interesting main characters. A very good second book in this enjoyable series.

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Pretending to Love Mary: A Sweet Extra Novelette by Leenie Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation the story continues on from 'His Father's Last Gift'. So what will be the result of Colonel Fitzwilliam's strategy to pretend to befriend Mary Bennet. Especially now that his parents have arrived in time for the Netherfield Ball.
A delightful and well-written romance story with its very likeable character. Another re-read.

(Sequel to His Father's Last Gift)

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His Father's Last Gift: A Darcy and Elizabeth Variation by Leenie Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Elizabeth is attending to an ill Jane at Netherfield Park. During her stay Elizabeth meets and talks with Darcy where he apologizes for his behaviour. Meanwhile Colonel Fitzwilliam arrives with the last letter Darcy Senior wrote to his son. These events, combined with Jane showing her steely character, will this change the timing of future events, especially when Wickham and Mr. Collins arrive in the neighbourhood.
A delightful and well-written story, with its lovely characters. I even liked Darcy in this enjoyable variation.
Another good addition to this series. Another re-read

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The Faces of the Dead by Chris Nickson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

March 1944, Leeds. It all starts with a car accident when a local gangster and his passenger die. Inside the boot of the car SID find war rations and American guns. Who will now take over the local crime operation and who is the American contact. SID investigates but more deaths occur.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of interesting and likeable 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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Arguing With Mary: A Sweet Extra Novelette by Leenie Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story continues in this Pride and Prejudice variation as the house party at Netherfield carries on. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mary Bennet continue to argue with each other. Thankfully for them neither is looking for marriage, or are they.
A well-written and delightful story. Another entertaining re-read. Once again

(Sequel to With Quill and Ink.)

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With Quill and Ink by Leenie Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

September 1811 In this Pride and Prejudice variation Bingley has leased Netherfield off the new owner Darcy. But because part of the garden has been bequeathed to Elizabeth Bennet by the previous owner, Netherfield cannot be sold until Elizabth marries. Colonel Fitzwilliam, guest of Bingley, suggests a house party to find the perfect gentleman for her.
An entertaining and well-written story.with its cast of varied and likeable characters. Even the unlikeable ones were interesting. I loved this forthright Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mary Bennet.
Enjoyable re-read, once again.

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Mary Bennet's Improper Adventure: A Pride and Prejudice Spin-Off for Fans of Bridgerton by Mira Micheilis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel where overly pious and moralistic Mary visits the Gardiners in town for Christmas. Unfortunately she comes across as snobbish as Darcy. But can she change, does she want to.
An enjoyable story

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Mary's Secrets: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Elaine Burkett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice sequel where Mary's actions during the double wedding of her older sisters rebounds on her. How will this affect her later actions. Four years later..
An entertaining and well-written story about the growth of Mary Bennet. (Unfortunately just one sentence did annoy me concerning the Colonel)

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A Deadly Affair by Carla Simpson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1889 Adventurous and author Mikaela Forsythe has discovered her sister, Leonard, Lady Litton has disappeared with her maid Mary Ryan only for Mary to turn up murdered. She is persuaded to team up with ex-police, now p.i. Angus Brodie, to investigate.
An entertaining historical mystery. A good start to this new series though I probably would have enjoyed the story more if it was just about Brodie.

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Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Peter Shandy returns to the Balaclava Agricultural College after his short Christmas break only to find a body in his home. He decides to investigate.
An enjoyable modern mystery

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Tragedy at the Unicorn by John Rhode
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At the Unicorn country hotel five yachtsmen arrive off their boat to take up residence. Unknown to them a Dr. Grinling is staying there. They and the owners all seem to have a grievance against him. The next morning he is found dead. Was it an accident, suicide or murder. Dr Priestley becomes interested.
An entertaining historical mystery.
Originally published in 1928

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A Country Way of Death by R.A. Bentley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1926 Detective Inspector Miles Felix is visiting his family for Christmas at Bettishaw village when a suspicious death occurs. What secrets will need to be uncovered in his investigation.
An entertaining historical mystery

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The Skeletons of Birkbury by Diana J. Febry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Twenty years after 16 year old Jennifer Turner disappeared her remains are found. A storm uproots a tree and a skeleton is discovered. DCI Peter Hatherall (didn't take to his mode of policing or interested in his personal problems) and his team investigate.
Otherwise an enjoyable modern mystery

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CAST FOR DEATH a gripping English cozy murder mystery full of twists by Margaret Yorke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While in London Grant notices a body in the River Thames. That of actor Sam Irwin, who he met on holiday In Austria. An apparent suicide. Then after a car accident where he killed a dog, he discovers the owner having committed suicide just as she was going to move. Is there a connection between the suicides.
An enjoyable mystery
Originally published in 1976

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Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Plume of Feathers public house, in Otterbrook, is the scene of a death of one of the guests staying there with his friends. Was it a natural death or murder. Detectives Alleyn and Fox are called in to investigate
Originally published in 1940

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The Sleep of the Just by WadeH
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation. What will a Bennet daughter with an extra powerful sense do with this power.
An entertaining short story

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Murder in the Maze by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1870 What could Professor Latham be researching to cause his death in the maze at his home. In the morning after a dinner party where he was to make an important announcement. Redmond and Haze investigate.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

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The Carnival Murders by Irina Shapiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1859. The autopsied remains of Mrs Tamzin Norris are found in an alley next to her father's public house. It soon comes to light that there have been similar authopsied bodies in the last several months. But why and what is the connection to all the deaths. Gemma Tate, a nurse, and her fiancé, Inspector Sebastian Bell, work together to investigate.
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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Mary Bennet and the Blood of Innocents: Mary of Longbourn #11 by Carrie Mollenkopf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1825 A Pride and Prejudice sequel where several deaths of elderly females have occurred in the Meryton locale. Soon suspicions are raised by Mary. But what could be the motive and the cause of the deaths.
An entertaining story. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

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An Epic Surprise: A Pride & Prejudice Vagary by Shana Granderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Mr Bennet marrys Francis Gardener after she compromised him but she dies in giving birth to Jane. That means that Bennet can now marry the love of his life, Miss Priscilla Morris, and have four children, including two sons. How does affect all their futures especially with their connections to the aristocracy.
An entertaining story.




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Resorting to Murder: Holiday Mysteries by Martin Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1. The Adventure of the Devil's Foot - A.C. Doyle - what did happen to the Tregennis family
2. A Schoolmaster Abroad - W.E. Hornung - Dr Dollar saves his friend Dr Alt and discovers who wants to kill Jack Laverick.
3. Murder! - A. Bennett - Can the murderer escape justice.
4. The Murder on the Golf Links - M.M. Bodkin - Can detective Beck find the real murderer.
5. The Finger of Stone - G.K. Chesterton - Three men in a walking holiday In France hear of a murder but no body
6. The Vanishing of Mrs Fraser - B. Thomson - The suspicious disappearance of an ill Mrs Fraser.
7. A Mystery of the Sand-Hills - R.A. freeman- Dr. Thorndyke investigates footprints and clothing found in sand-hills.
8. The Hazel Ice - H.C. Bailey - Reggie Fortune solves a case while on holiday
9. Razor Edge - A. Berkeley - Sheringham is convinced that a body found in a sandy cove has been murderer.
10. Holiday Task - L. Bruce - while on holiday Sergeant Beef solves a crime
11. A Posteriori - H. Simpson - Miss Charters inadvertently becomes involved with a spy.
12. Where is Mr Manetot - P. Bentley - does someone overhear a murder planned
13. The House of Screams - G. Findler - A writer rents a house but hears screams during the night.
14. Cousin Once Removed - The last survivor qpwill inherit, or will they
An enjoyable collection of short stories

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A Cotswolds Murder by Roy Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chuck Lindop, manager of a caravan site, is discovered dead, killed. DCI John Crow is called in to investigate.
An enjoyable modern mystery
Originally published in 1974

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Sealed with a Loving Kill by Roger Ormerod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recently married (to the awful Elsa) David Mallin p.i, is employed to find a missing wife of three years. But that is only the start. Soon there is a body and another missing wife.
An enjoyable modern mystery
Originally published in 1976

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Why Wed? A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Renata McMann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Mr Bennet has married three times, the second produced his estranged son Thomas, a curate, and the third his five daughters.
Will any of them marry, and be happy especially as some have only known each other for a short time.
An entertaining novella (4 stars because I like the pairing of Mary Bennet).

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The Ellerby Case by John Rhode
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sir Noel Ellerby of Laxford Hall has been informed that his home has been burgled but nothing stolen as he informs friend Dr. Priestley. On returning home , he is discovered dead the next day. The doctor believes it was not a natural death and so he and his assistan Harold Merefield investigate with the help of Inspector Hanslet.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Bones on the Yorkshire Moors by Ray Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first skull appears in the garden of DI Gardener's girlfriend. But who does it belong to and is there a connection between all the discovered skulls. Gardener and his teeam investigate.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.

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Brother and Sisters: Pride and Prejudice Variation by B.J. Rumph
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation the Bennets have five children, but one is a boy, Ben. While at a school he becomes friends with four other boys, but tells them little about his sisters. Until one day they visit and all their lives are changed.
The two good points are that I have my favourite Mary Bennet pairing, and I enjoyed the story. For that 3 stars. Another enjoyable re-read
It really needs a proofreader and to be formatted correctly.

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