Their Share of Vexations by Lucrezia*
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation Elizabeth runs from Longbourn after a proposal of marriage from a vicar. But this is not Collins. The result leaves Elizabeth's reputation in shreds and only one of her sisters stands by her. But it is not Jane. There is disharmony, revenge, cruelty, (definitely mature content) but also happy endings for quite a few people. Will the guilty get their just punishment. Will I be happy in the outcome for Mary Bennet?
With all of that I found it a delightful story even in the re-read, again.

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Frequent Hearses by Edmund Crispin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fen becomes the literary advisor for a film at the Long Fulton Films. But why would a young actress commit suicide having got a role in a film.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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The theft at pemberly : A pride and prejudice variation by Job Karen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice Variation where Elizabeth is visiting Hunsford. While at Rosing Lady Catherine shows off the Pemberley Star. But soon it is stolen and she accuses Elizabeth.
4 stars because of the Mary pairing.

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The Catherine Wheel by Patricia Wentworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seventy year old millionaire Jacob Taverner has invited some of his relations to his Carherine Wheel Inn. But why. Miss Silver is there on behalf of the police due to the rumours of smuggling Then there is a death.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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Mary Bennett’s Brilliant Scheme : A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Shannon Moore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation (both Jane and Elizabeth are married but not Charlotte or Lydia) where Mary decides she needs to acquire social skills and sets out a methodology to do so. With contributions from Charlotte, Elizabeth (who seems to live nearby) and surprisely Kitty and Lydia.
An enjoyable story but needs some proofreading and I found it too long

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A Deadly Halloween at Château de Camon: A 1930s Halloween Mystery by Benedict Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

October 1930. At Chateau de Camon a seance has been arranged for invited guests. But now a death has occurred. Lord Edgington and Christopher investigate. But what could be the motive.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Chantecoq and the Devil's Daughter by Arthur Bernède
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1932 Chantecoq on the side of the pacifists must defeat the warmongers whom are intent in killing anyone aiming to win the anti-war Clifford prize.
An enjoyable story

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Lady Beth Fitzwilliam: Part 2 – Consequences: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story continues as the Bennets discover where Elizabeth has been living for the last 18 years. A reunion needs to be planned, and what of Lord Matlock.
An enjoyable conclusion

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Lady Beth Fitzwilliam: Part 1 - Kidnapped: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation newly born, rejected Elizabeth Bennet is kidnapped by Lord Marlock. He reasoned that as her wife had just given birth to another stillborn child she would give up on llife. How does this event affect the future lives of the Bennets, Fitzwilliams and Darcys.
An entertaining variation.

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Darcy and Elizabeth: Unwritten Courtships: A Marriage Bargain at Midnight: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Vera Langley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy first meet as they both break into the dead Lady Selwyn's library. But what are they both looking for. But scandal and threats are not far behind. How will this affect all the Bennets and other families.
An enjoyable story

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The Motor House by A.G. Barnett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gerald Lyle has changed his will and now he is found dead. Nell Blackwood is a guest and decides to ask questions.
An enjoyable short story

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Buried for Pleasure by Edmund Crispin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1947 Gervase Fen is standing for Parliament ar Sanfor Angelorum. Not long after arriving he becomes involved in two murders and what is thought to be an accident.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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Vengeance is Mine - A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rosemary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation, Caroline Bingley has been ruined, and when Darcy refuses to marry her as payment of a supposed debt owned to the Bingleys, Charles vows to take revenge on the Darcy family. How does this change the future of the Bingleys and the future of the families they meet. In this story it is not just Elizabeth that is her father's favourite but also Mary. Mrs Bennet's favourites, the other three, all because they have the same colouring as her, blond and blue eyed.
An entertaining story with lots of new characters added.
An enjoyable re-read, again.

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Mr. Darcy's Miracle at Longbourn: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Tale by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Darcy and the Bingleys left Netherfield over a month ago. Now it is December 23rd, again and again. What needs to be righted, who is aware, do people have to change and will there be any happy endings.
Enjoyed this tale especially as I am a Groundhog Day fan.
Would have liked more of Mary and the diary in Part One, especially with her interactions with the Colonel, and see the scenes from more of her perspective but that's because I am a Mary Bennet fan.
Another enjoyable re-read of this story, again and again, and again

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Murder Most Final by Faith Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ten years ago 16 year old aspiring actress Angela Manning disappeared, her body was found the next morning. This is the latest and last case for the CRT and Hillary Greene.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series which seems to have come to the end

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A Puzzle for Fools by Patrick Quentin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Broadway producer Peter Duluth had an alcoholic breakdown after the death of his wife. He now resides in the Lenz Sanitarium. But strange events are occurring with at least two murders.
An enjoyable historical mystery
(1936)

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Murder at the Mistletoe Ball by Helena Dixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

London, 1938. The Underhays have been invited to the annual Mistletoe Ball held at the home of Lord and Lady Skelmsby, at the request of a government official as treason is suspected of one of the guests. But then a body of one of the suspects is discovered. Was she a double agent. Can the Underhays discover the killer before they kill again.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting 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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Jane Austen's The Watsons by Claudia Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A finished version of Jane Austen's The Watsons where the author has changed the location of the novel and the names of the characters (I prefer the original names). So Ada Watson has returned to her birth home after her aunt remarries leaving Ada without her promised dowry. But how will she fit in with her much poorer family and the surrounding neighbours. This includes the proud Osborne family and the bachelor Lord Osborne.
An entertaining and well-written story with its likeable and interesting characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Trouble With Horses by Elizabeth Ann West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation Elizabeth Bennet's early morning walk is disrupted by finding a riderless horse. When she eventually discovers the rider unconscious - Mr. Darcy - her woes are only beginning.
Liked the input of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mary into the story, as we are swept to the happy ending. Just wish that there was more of their story.
Another entertaining re-read.

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The Seven of Calvary by Anthony Boucher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr Hugo Schaedel is a visiting professor at the Berkeley Campus. While on an evening stroll he is murdered. But why and by whom. Then there is a second death. Professor John Ashwin becomes interested in the events.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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