And Justice There is None- Deborah Crombie - A very fine series - 5 Stars ~

My first outing with Deborah Crombie's series and I really loved it. It surely won't be the last ( I have them lined up), starting with Book #1.

I was introduced to DS Duncan Kincaid and Sgt. Gemma James in the setting of Notting Hill and Portobello Road, a very interesting place with a lot of history.

In the course of a brutal murder investigation ( which becomes 3 or more murders eventually) Kincaid and James become a family. A terrific novel with an ending that points to their life together continuing.

I am very happy I came upon this great author. 

Murder at the Queen's Old Castle - Cora Harrison - Wonderful 5 Star Read !

Mother Superior novels never disappoint me, the history and the characters are always exactly right. I was a bit shocked at the ending (so apparently was Mother Superior and Dr. Scher). 

Did the murderer get away? Will this be continued in another outing? If so, will Patrick and Eileen bring the person to justice? A decent amount of characters left loose ends here so I am hoping for a continuation at another time.

The social and political aspects of this era fascinate me greatly, as well as plot and players. The aspect of a whole generation waiting until the end of their child bearing years, for economic reasons, is intriguing and poignant.

My own Irish immigrant granduncles and grandparents did the same, trying to make their way in this new place, which was far more distant than "the boat to Liverpool".

Strongly recommended for all mystery fans. Thanks to Cora Harrison and NetGalley for this one

The Hanging Psalm - A Simon Westow Mystery- A Complex Historical Mystery- Get yours now~

Thanks to NetGalley, Severn House and of course the great writer Chris Nickson. WOW what a nail biter but I got to the end safely ( of course). 

Leeds 1820:"Thief-taker Simon Westow knows all about lost property. A boy from the workhouse, he now has a comfortable business finding and returning his clients' stolen possessions." Simon, his wife Rosie and their protégé, the young girl Jane, were all damaged in some ways by early life experiences. 

Simon and Rosie had managed to make a life, with normalcy, together and for their twin sons. Rosie was intuitive and loving but with a core of fierceness. Jane lives in their house but shares nothing of her painful past to anyone. All three straddle a normal existence with much darker elements. Will they change their lives after this episode?

The details of this complicated and darkish mystery I will leave to you, the reader, at least partly because it is difficult to unweave this complex tale. Recommended to historical mystery lovers. 

The Corpse Bridge- Stephen Booth - 5 Stars~

I'm very happy to return to this series that I was reading a couple of years ago. I enjoyed them then and discovered my digital library had more and now wondering about NetGalley.

 The setting and the complexity of both the mysteries and Ben Cooper's interpersonal relationships
make and irresistible read. I now have 3 more so will keep reading and reviewing.

#NetGalley#CatherineLloyd#DeathComestoBath - Preorder now!! 5 Stars!

This 6th outing is really the best so far and the ending lets me feels certain there will be a seventh! Woo Hoo! Thanks #NetGalley#CatherineLloyd#KensingtonBooks for this ARC which I just devoured.

 ."On a visit to Bath, Major Sir Robert Kurland and Lady Lucy Kurland discover that the English spa town is not beneficial to everyone's health . ."

Sir Robert and wife Lucy traveled to Bath to heal any aftereffects of his war wound, on their doctor's advice. Dr. Patrick Fletcher and his wife Penelope and Lucy's sister Anna, and their house staff, round out their entourage. Living right next door is Sir William Benson, his young 2nd wife and sons and stepsons. Sir William introduces himself and the two briefly become fast friends.

The relationship is brief because Sir William meets his death right in the warm water spa and Patrick, who is asked to view the body is sure it is murder. Who the murderer is seems to be the the question as a disappearing will and an odd relationship for the widow complicate the whole issue. Of course Lucy and Sir Robert are called upon to help solve the murder.

Pregnancies of various people also becomes an emerging issue and you will have to order your book now to read at Christmas and find out the whole exciting story!

The Vanishing Box - Elly Griffiths- Best one yet!! 5 Star Mystery - Preorder yours now~

#TheVanishingBox #NetGalley
The best of this series so far from a favorite and very talented author. Thanks to the author, Elly Griffiths, Houghton Mifflin and Netgalley for this ARC which will be out in 10 days. I would preorder mine now if it was me.

"In a nail-biting hunt for a missing loved one, DI Edgar Stephens and the magician Max Mephisto discover once again that the line between art, life, and death is all too easily blurred."

This all takes place as Christmas is coming to Brighton and the famous Hippodrome theater. Post WWII Brighton is thoughtfully portrayed as the staging scene for the Magic Men mysteries, which jump between variety show scenes and the Brighton police department, through the lives of DI Edgar Stephens and his wartime friend Max Mephisto.

The action in this outing jumps between the on and off stage Hippodrome variety show and a boarding house for transient entertainers. A series of theatrical staged murders are at two separate locations but seem to have a link. When DS Emma Holmes goes missing, Edgar does everything in his power, in a blinding snowstorm, to pull off an impossible rescue.

This 4th outing of Magic Men mysteries ends with some interesting romantic liaisons being formed. Elly Griffiths never fails to write a terrific mystery which illustrate accurate history and very fine character development.          

The Tudor Crown - Joanna Hickson ~ Enjoyable ~

An enjoyable read about the start of Henry Tudor's reign which I gave something close to 4 stars. ( rounded up) I liked the " Margaret chapters" much the best, although Joanna Hickson explained how little is known about Henry's exile. I found it difficult to go back and forth between the two accounts and am sure it was a difficult task for an author.

Henry VII is not my favorite king, but hopefully the last chapter where he explains himself very gracefully sheds a more hopeful light for a sequel about his marriage to Elizabeth. Those years are sort of sparse on authentic historical narrative also. I am anxiously awaiting another book being in the works.

The Stonemason's Tale- Ann Swinfen - So ready for the next in series! ~ 5 Stars~

5 Stars for Book  6 and may they continue into the future. Ann Swinfen has created an entrancing group of characters and illustrates a period in time not often thought about. The Black Death of 1347-50 had wiped out one third of the population, and better living and economic conditions began to change the world.

Our hero Nicholas Elyot was educated and self supporting and his intellect aided him to solve mysteries and brought him to the notice of important figures. This instance was no different, as two trade groups, carpenters and stone cutters came to Oxford to build a cathedral for Queen's College. Troubling and eventually disastrous events became happening and Nicholas is front and center as the line is drawn between "town and gown" and affluent and poorer folk.

Nicholas rises to the occasion with the help of his friends Jordain and the Deputy Sheriff Cedric. Let us not forget also the dual role Nicholas and his Emma played in all of the disasters that arose.

May we hope that both Nicholas and Emma and Margaret his sister and her "friend" Peter have their romances continue in Book #7? "After Easter"  some important decisions will perhaps be made as to their futures. Recommended highly

An Empire for Ravens - "John Lord Chamberlain Mystery", Mary Read & Eric Mayer - Complex and Satisfying - Preorder Now!

Appreciate the ARC for this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press and, as always it was great to visit with John and Cornelia. I also liked the vignette's that came back to Cornelia and john's home as a diversion from a complicated plot that often made my head spin. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This is the crux of it:"Emperor Justinian's former Lord Chamberlain, John, gets a letter from his longtime comrade, Felix, and, placing loyalty to a friend above his own safety, risks defying imperial edict by leaving his exile in Greece for Rome where Felix is in some kind of trouble"

John, defying Justinian's exile and facing execution ( he has about 3 weeks), is enmeshed in many complicated issues not the least of which is the siege of Rome by the Goths under Totila.He sneaks into Rome, finds his dear friend is deceased and insists on figuring out what has happened.

Everything was wrapped up tidily in a terrific epilogue ( John and Cornelia's walk and discussion back home in Greece) which ended the story with the announcement that John was being recalled by Justinian to resume his imperial service. Exciting presage of what is to come. 

Jackie's Girl - Kathy McKeon - 5 Stars ~ A Poignant Memoir~

An endearing coming-of-age memoir by a young woman who spent thirteen years as Jackie Kennedy’s personal assistant and occasional nanny—and the lessons about life and love she learned from the glamorous first lady.

A delightful book that I almost could not put down, about an era I lived through but with different experiences. Kath came to New York from her beloved Ireland in 1964 spent 13 years in Jackie Kennedy's employ and was almost a part of her family for many more.

It was a story told with respect and great regard for the family's privacy, as well as obvious love for John, Caroline and Jackie Kennedy. It was a great book for me. another Baby Boomer of Irish heritage to read, with echoes of my own family.

I very much recommend this book which was very well done.

Once A Queen : A Story of Elizabeth Woodville- Samantha Wilcoxson - 5 Stars- Sympathetic~

Once a Queen: A Story of Elizabeth Woodville (Plantagenet Embers) 5 Stars

I very much enjoyed this book as I have for all of Samatha Wilcoxson's efforts. The author writes with sympathy and a different type of understanding of what it "might have been like".

I am very sure that Elizabeth Woodville was not the terrible person the populace made her out to be, her life was a struggle as was all caught up in this "War of the Roses. She loved Edward surely and loved her children also.

It worked well for me. Recommended for all lovers of this period

The General's Women -Susan Wittig Albert - Fantastically great read! ~5Stars ~

Truly I did not want this book to end, as it was absolutely enthralling. I learned a great deal about WWII ( I was born as my father's ship was fighting in the South Pacific), and the different mindsets that went into the European fronts. Susan Wittig Albert is a favorite author whose work is always well researched and exceptionally well written.

I can believe that the intensity of the European theatre of war led to a heightened intensity for Ike as well as Kay. Was it love? I think it probably was, and both of them were vulnerable for different reasons. We will never know if their relationship would have survived in peacetime- maybe not in political peacetime Washington.

Reading it gave me a new perspective of WWII than Americans often get,and I will look for more that are similar. It is sad that Kay did not have a happier life and that Eisenhower succumbed to what was surely political pressure to renounce his feelings. Definitely a very worthwhile reading experience

The Angel in the Glass - Gabriel Taverner #2 - Alys Clare ~ AngelInTheGlass,the #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for this ARC from a favorite author of mine. I have read all of Alys Clare's Hawkenlye and Aelf Fen series with pleasure. This series is a bit different for me, and I seem slow to warm to the period, although the characters have improved since Book #1.

Former ship's physician Gabriel Taverner, and Celia his sister as well as their compatriots in rural Devon, live in a time still reeling from Reformation atrocities. This story exemplifies some of the horrors of that period, although it must be said that the characters themselves are educated and mature.

Vestiges of religious intolerance as well as damaged lives are what this story is about.Gabe and his friend Coroner Theo Davy, attempt to solve a death which becomes one, and then a series of murders. The area "gentry" definitely are not who they seem to be as our characters find out.

There is a hopeful-of-better-times ending which I appreciated. I gave it 3.5 stars rounded to 4 as it was darker than I care for

False Accusations - Cora Harrison - A Willowgrove Village Mystery- Out now!

#FalseAccusations #NetGalley

" There is nothing to fear if you have nothing to hide … Summer of 1991 Nothing unusual ever happens in the sleepy village of Willowgrove.,everyone is shocked to their core when a local woman – Mrs Trevor – is murdered. Her daughter, Rosie confesses ..but Rosie has learning difficulties,and Flora Morgan –trained to help those who can’t represent themselves – is called in to assist. Flora has known Rosie for years.. Rosie wouldn’t hurt a fly. "

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me this ARC by one of my favorite authors, Cora Harrison. It is a new series and perhaps the next one will be more of what I was expecting. I did like the last chapter which showed Flora and Ted, the local solicitor growing quite fond of each other.

Not so sure that the two chapters prior to the last one made great sense to me. Flora's mysterious catastrophic illness leading to a long hospitalization, which ended in a series of hallucinations ,in which the murder investigation was wrapped up. Hmmm. Did Flora solve it or just think she solved it?

It was a unique type of British crime novel, a "cozy" of sorts, and Cora Harrison is a very fine writer and seemed to pull it off pretty well. Try it! 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

The Dead on Leave- Chris Nickson - "Dangerous Times Need Dangerous Men" ~Out Now ! Get Your Copy ~

Thanks to Chris Nickson, favorite author, NetGalley and Endeavor for this fascinating book about an era in Britain I knew little about. I was reminded that Churchill wrote the book "While England Slept" in 1938 and JFK wrote a rebuttal of it , "Why England Slept" in 1940. 

It was clearly a conflicted time in England and especially Leeds with deep economic depression. I will mention that I was not yet born, and my father, who was in battle in the South Pacific at my birth, always stated that he would not go to war again unless the Japanese were landing in Atlantic City. (We were from New Jersey) Dad had performed a heroic act shortly before my birth aboard his ship, which haunted him his whole life.

That was in my mind as I got into this quite excellent book, and I am still exploring after reading it, what was going on in England at that time. I was unaware of the factions existing in the UK at that time, and my husband whose parents were still British Citizens in the 1930s was not either.

Enter "the political tensions between Mosley’s Blackshirts and working-class Communists in 1930's Leeds" which was a city "struggling to shake off the effects of the Great Depression," and our hero WWI Vet DI Urban Raven. The Battle of Holbeck Moor September 1936 followed a week of rising tension, Sir Oswald Mosley against city orders, marched his Blackshirts ( British Union of Fascists) to Holbeck. The expected BUF rally was aborted by about 30,000 Leeds residents, opposing communists among them.

One unpopular, and mostly unmourned man( a means test inspector),was murdered and left in an alley which began our story. Detective Inspector Urban Raven was given the unwelcome task of finding the murderer with many unanswered questions. Was the murder a vengeful act or was it due to the rising political tensions in Leeds ? Which "side" was responsible and why were subsequent murders happening? 

Add to that Urban's unraveling marriage, helping his young assistant DC Daniel Noble cope with the ensuing violence, and the conflict of his superiors, and you have a perfect mystery novel.
Suffice to say, it ends well (for most) and I sincerely hope this will become a series by this gifted writer. 

The Mitford Murders - Jessica Fellowes- 5 Stars-Terrific start to a series~

I really enjoyed this book, as well as the place and time, and am excited  that it will be a series. I kept peeking at the end of the book to make sure it ended well- which shows   the characters engaged me! 

Louisa Cannon, from a poor working class family in London, works with her widowed mother as a washerwoman and seamstress. Her father's brother often stays at their house and puts Louisa in harms way. 

Jennie, a friend from school who gives her a hint for a job in an upper class family the Mitfords. Her uncle tries to interfere with her interview by abducting her, and she jumps off the train onto the tracks.Guy Sullivan, a young railway  officer assists her to get to the interview.

At the very same time Louisa jumped from the train, a war nurse, Florence Nightingale Shore  is attacked and left for dead on another train. Guy Sullivan and his coworker Harry are assigned to  that case and this murder will consume them all.

Her new position is nursery maid for the Mitford family adds Nancy Mitford the oldest child to the group who become obsessed with Nurse Shore's murder. 

An exciting sequence of events follows with  an eventful conclusion. I cannot wait for the next in the series.

Crowned and Dangerous - Royal Spyness- Rhys Bowen- Fun Read!

4.5 stars rounded up..A fun read where Georgie and Darcy almost make it to Gretna Green to marry but life and his father Lord Kilhenny intervened. A snowstorm interrupts their trip and the morning paper brings terrible news that Darcy's father has been arrested for murder.

Darcy breaks off their engagement to spare her ( and the throne) embarrassment and heads to Kildare. Georgie follows him, his friend Princess ZouZou follows suit. Queenie eventually comes also and hilariously stands at the foot of Georgie' s bed in Darcy's eccentric Great Aunt Oona's haunted manor house.

Georgie and ZouZou have ideas which are put into place and the murder eventually is solved with the US Embassy's assistance. Mr.Roach the deceased, was the head of a large robbery gang ( Based on an actual event in the US) and a gang members had actually committed the crime.

Lovely ending Christmas day, when Darcy gives Georgie his mother's ring, and has set things in motion for Royal consent for their marriage. It seems that Zou Zou and Lord Kilhenney may have similar plans. and Queenie has agreed to stay and help Great Aunt Oona and Uncle Dooley on their estate.

The Holywell Dead (Chesterfield #3) Chris Nickson- Very Fine Series!

The Holywell Dead ( Chesterfield #3) was a satisfying read by a favorite author, about a perilous time in history. 1364 finds the plague returning to Chesterfield as the local priest, sorely needed now, has vanished.

John the Carpenter is content in his new life, but the plague brings up his own personal history as an 8 year left parentless. The discovery of the priest wrapped in a shroud in an empty house precipitates a string of related murders. John is charged with finding the murderer as he has been for some time past. His wife and extended family are concerned, and after John is attacked, he vows to not participate in the search.

Murders and abductions continue to occur,including the Carpenters young mute apprentice being taken. John intervenes to find Alan and once to find the Coroner, whose fury remains unabated.
After deHarville, the Coroner, is attacked and dies, John becomes the target of those few remaining in this group of mercenaries, who have some attachment to the King.

Unlikely allies are a group of lepers who are willing to help him fight the mercenary group, as they knew him as a kind generous person.. One of them, Alison, on her own, came with him on the final battle, and slew the remaining murderer while sacrificing her own life.

The ending was poignant and pointed to happier times as John and Alan had completed a "thank offering" bench commissioned by the Coroner, warmly received by parishioners. Katherine his wife happily tells him a second child will be born to them before long. I hope that indicates a sequel to this fine series. 

Corpse at the Crystal Place- Carola Dunn - #TheCorpseAtTheCrystalPalace #NetGalley - Great Read!

Wow Daisy Dalrymple #23, thanks NetGalley& St. Martin's Press for the read. I have not read all Carola Dunn's books, but enough to know this one was a very fun read. Daisy's family life is quite entertaining, with cousins from other countries, friends from near and far and the twins and Belinda.

Alec ( who ends the book at Superintendent of his unit at Scotland Yard) , tries very hard to keep Daisy from being immersed in his cases to no avail. His subordinates and colleagues are also sort of their extended family.

The school holidays have started and stepdaughter Belinda arrives at home, where Daisy has arranged many exciting day trips, as well as house guests. The first one, which included visiting cousins, close friends,Nanny Gilpin and her young assistant, was via several chauffeured vehicles to the Crystal Place. 

Before lunchtime, Nanny Gilpin ends up floating in a pond and rescued by the older cousins Ben and Charlie, Belinda and others were in the ladies room where another Nanny appears to be deceased. A closer look at the deceased reveals the corpse is male, and a third Nanny was seen fleeing the scene after being pursued by Nanny G. Daisy feels she knows this man and it ends up he is a cousin of Lucy, her best friend and heir to a Baronet.

A complicated plot including Russian jewelers as well as a huge amount of possible murderers ensure. Teddy, the victim has made himself universally disliked in many social circles. The ending was enjoyable, as was another look at Daisy's world.

The Troubadour's Tale- Oxford Medieval Mystery 5 - Enjoyable Series As Usual

I have greatly enjoyed all the Oxford Medieval Mysteries and this one is no exception. The author's fine afterward discusses the "little ice age" which could have been having an effect on winter travel and other historical facts of that period.

Nicholas and his family, as well as his friend Jordain and Emma and her aunt and cousins are invited to Peter Winchingham's manor in Leighton for the Christmas season. Nicholas and Margaret's mother had been too frail to travel to them in Oxford with the harsh weather they are having so they agree.

Despite extensive preparations the trip is fraught with peril from both the elements and outlaws. Deputy sheriff Cedric Walden had offered to travel with Nicholas' group for safety, which ended up saving their lives. The whole trip was fraught with peril, as the French Troubadours invited to Leighton Manor were also attacked, and that sets the stage for most of their visit.

The ending is unique with Nicholas and the Black Prince again fighting together against treasonous mercenaries. All ends well and made for a delightful read

Death Comes to Kurland Hall - Catherine Lloyd- 5 Stars - What a Terrific Series

"As wedding bells chime in Kurland St. Mary, a motley group of visitors descends on the village—and with a murderer on the prowl, some of them may not be returning home…"

This series just keep getting better with each volume, or else I am just more enamored of the characters. I have other books I NEED to read but this one... and now the next one is on my kindle..

It starts "Lucy , my dear, you cannot ignore Major Kurland forever"
 "I know that"

It ends with Lucy and Sir Robert Kurland agreeing to be married.

In between were a marriage, several deaths and unveiling of illegitimate heirs, all in Regency England in a "cozy" mystery. Wonderful Read!

Death of A Novice - Reverend Mother series- Glimpse Into Revolutionary Cork ~ A favorite series ~

#DeathOfANovice #NetGalley
4.5 stars..Love Reverend Mother mysteries and this was not  an exception. The ending felt a little bit out of focus to me, however. I think the ending was to segway into the next book, where possibly Patrick the Detective and Eileen McSweeney could solve a mystery together?

The Reverend Mother is shocked to walk into an outbuilding and find that her most promising young novice, Sister Gertrude lying dead. She is even more shocked to learn that her death was of alcohol poisoning although the young nun never had touched liquor. She calls on the two men she relies on most, Dr. Scher and young  Inspector Patrick Cashman.

Could there be a link between the I.R.A.'s sabotage  of a  gunpowder explosion on Spike Island which may connect to Eileen? Was their also a tie to Mary MacSwiney, the educator and Sinn Fein revolutionary, who was giving the young novices Gaelic lessons and involving them in activities?

A wonderful and exciting glimpse into a violent time not so long ago.  A favorite series of mine. Thanks NetGalley and Cora Harrison for this ARC.

The Death Of A Falcon - Susan McDuffie- Medieval Scotland at it's best- Great series ~

4.5 stars rounded to 5. Thanks to Susan McDuffie for sharing this very enjoyable ARC with me. Muirteach and Mariota are a very unique couple and this outing proved to be no different. I was a bit disappointed with how readily Muirteach responded romantically to the overtures of what turned out to be the "anti-heroine", but heartened by the ending of the book that reconciliation will occur.

There were a lot of murders and animal maiming which also ultimately were ascribed to this same unpleasant but lovely Ingvalt. Her relationship to the characters involved, revealed at the end was startling, so how she fooled Muirteach with her character was readily seen. Her links to Greenland were very unique and almost unbelievable.

Startling to me was how much credence, right there in Scotland, was given to nobility and how quickly accused underlings were imprisoned and held in terrible conditions. The Lady Ingvelt, married to a nobleman, was given great latitude to continue murdering and maiming until Muirteach confronted her. The ensuing struggle for her to poison and kill took her to her death and almost took Muirteach with her.

A great read and the next one hopefully will see them home with a child. I want to mention Susan McDuffie's very fine historical author's note about these distant places and their connection to Medieval Scotland .Start your reading of this series now. 

The Braes of Huntly -Kristin Gleeson ~ Highland Ballads ~ Get Yours!!

 4.5 stars. There was a lot of activity in the first part of the book as Abby packed her bag more times than I could count to escape from various threats. She was placed by her father Calum with the Earl of Huntly, his nephew actually, to keep her safe from the Count of Damville and to have a marriage made for her. 

I am not sure what or why happened to her father's wishes, but she was soon being sent off for a marriage not to her liking. She and Ian MacGregor had been handfasted in a prior ceremony, but as he was traveling incognito as a spy and mercenary, she assumed he was not honoring their marriage.

Somewhere along the way a French female, Claudine, attached herself to her as a friend. Abby's mother had abandoned her father and herself years before so the female attention was welcome.
She and Claudine are taken from Huntly by Damville to her incipient marriage. Ian was also taken prisoner but with Claudine's help she and Ian kill the Count and with her seriously wounded father get back to the Castle.

The ending is fun as she finds that Claudine is actually her mother Marie, and they work through their anger and pain at that abandonment while nursing Calum. The family now being united, Ian and Abby have a ceremonial marriage and presumably are expecting a child. Calum and Marie Claudine are at a different location resuming their relationship 

The Tin God - Chris Nickson - 5 Stars ~ A terrific read with dual story lines~

"When Superintendent Tom Harper's wife is threatened during an election campaign, the hunt for the attacker turns personal."
It was an amazing book, with two separate story lines being woven in quite seamlessly. I savored it,  and read slowly as I hated for it to end.

It was 1897 in Leeds and women in Leeds had been able to vote in some local elections since 1873. Nationally since 1894, ( per the historian-author Chris Nickson), women were being voted  to some local offices.

When the book opens, Annabelle Harper and 6 other female candidates were standing for Poor Law Guardian in Sheepscar, and the campaign was three days old. Opposing parties hoped to have some ambitious young men run for those posts instead. 

What will transpire rises far above politics and becomes life threatening, even life ending. Bombings of rallies, personal threatening letters, physical attacks and more became the order of the day.  The continual  violence and threats consumed the entire police department, especially Tom Harper as Superintendent, as his wife was particularly targeted and his young daughter briefly abducted.

The "calling cards" of the perpetrator  were excerpts of folk songs about death to women. An expert, Frank Kidson, who was consulted about the folk songs was an actual person.

The second story line or dual mystery added a  very interesting dimension to the book, in the person of Billy Reed, formerly assistant to Harper. He is now head inspector at the police department in Whitby,on the coast. 

Smuggling has come to his attention with the appearance of "Terrier John" a Leeds character with contacts still there. He collaborates long distance and successfully with Harper  about  a Leeds connection, adding dimension to this tale.

Chris Nickson is an amazingly skillful author with a love of Leeds,its varied and deep history,and demonstrates it with each book he writes. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for this ARC

Murder on Marble Row - Victoria Thompson - Gaslight #6 ~ Strong plot and historical elements~

"In turn-of-the-century New York City midwife Sarah Brandt is again helping police Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy. This time, an arsonist is presumed to have murdered a wealthy industrialist in an explosion."

5 stars and down to just a two books of this series. One is available to me on digital loan and one is not out yet. I am hoping the publisher lets me have it and have messaged them.

Book #6 has a lot going for it, Sarah and Frank end up closer than they were and it is quite an unusual sequence of events. It begins when Teddy Roosevelt, Police Commissioner, contacts Malloy to investigate a murder committed with a bomb on a wealthy society member. 

The victim, well known to known to the Deckers and is assumed to be "Anarchists" that committed the murder because a bomb was used. The son of the victim, Creighton Van Dyke, had left his father's home and his employ, because of serious philosophical class differences. 

In fact he was currently living in a common law relationship with Katya, an immigrant who had ties to this criminal element.One murder led to another but happily eventually it resolves that the deceased died partly because of their own efforts or actions.

Sarah's parents both get involved in this situation and give advice and seem to begin to approve of Frank and Sarah's budding relationship with him. Additionally in this happier ending Frank's little boy Brian is to attend school for the deaf and Sarah and little "Aggie" will be visiting him at his home.

A very fine read and a strong historical precedent for this type of murder

A Gruesome Discovery - Cora Harrison - Fourth Reverend Mother Mystery- Order NOW!

5 Stars - "The Reverend Mother receives a decidedly gruesome gift in this compelling Irish historical mystery"

Big thanks to Cora Harrison for writing this mystery, and NetGalley for sending it to me. The Reverend Mother series are great as are all of her Irish mysteries. I have a second one I will be starting also in the Reverend Mother series ( so excited). I am Irish and the age of the Reverend Mother and her cousin Lucy so I particularly love this series.

This one is a generational saga with this murder, and subsequent murders, not revealed until the last few pages. A tradesman who many felt was "uppity", because he had amassed so much money and built a large house in an exclusive area, is murdered. Henry Mulcahy was not well loved, but his housemaid and nurse Bridie was beloved of the sisters at the convent. Bridie and Mrs. Mulcahy are also eventually victims of the cover-up of this crime.

Not only was Mulcahy "of the skins" murdered, but his decaying for 3 days body was delivered in a trunk to the Reverend Mother. It was said to contain schoolbooks but actually contained Mr Mulcahy packed in some gruesome exhibits of his trade.

Reverend Mother Aquinas' cousin Lucy who had been at an auction, bid on the trunk and sent it to her. The nuns of St. Mary's Isle have a school for poor children at that location and a religious community had been there since ancient days.

Figuring in this episode also are several young adult protégés of the Reverend Mother, Eileen MacSweeney and Patrick the Constable. Adding to this is that several of Mulcahy's children, he has 13, as well as Eileen, are Republican Army sympathisers. This is the cusp of Ireland's partition.

The Dark Angel -Elly Griffiths- Book #10 ~ Publication May 2018 but start this amazing series now!! ~

My review will be on my Blog and at NetGalley for the May Publication date, but  also is written  here.

From the Publisher "It’s not every day that you’re summoned to the Italian countryside on business, so when archaeologist Angelo Morelli asks for Ruth Galloway’s help identifying bones found in the tiny hilltop town of Fontana Liri, she jumps at the chance to go, bringing her daughter along with her for a working vacation. Upon arriving, she begins to hear murmurs of Fontana Liri’s strong resistance movement during World War II and senses the townspeople are dancing around a deeply buried secret. But how could that be connected to the ancient remains she’s been studying?
  
 Ruth is just beginning to get her footing in the dig when she’s thrown off-guard by the appearance of DCI Nelson. And when Ruth’s findings lead them to a modern-day murder, their holidays are both turned upside down, and they race to find out what darkness is lurking in this seemingly picturesque town."

I came upon Elly Griffiths' novels fairly recently but have devoured the Ruth Galloway series  (although not in sequence- that is for later rereads). I have an Anthropology graduate 
degree so I love the prehistory and examination of relics aspect of Ruth's career. I also very much enjoy  how she is "seconded " to the local Major Crimes unit and meets DCI Harry Nelson, her polar opposite.

Ruth has a diverse group of friends and associates and is the most educated person in her small family of origin.  Their distinctiveness is a reflection of her life choices  and where they intersect with others. She lives in a small cottage on the Norfolk marsh land with two cats but also is a noted forensic Archaeologist.

Fast forwarding to Book #10

How then did Ruth, fortyish and plump, meet and have a child with DCI Harry Nelson? You will need to start on this amazingly well done series and find out.

Kate is now in school and quite advanced for her age, knows "Nelson" is her father, and  he shares parts of her life. Why then is Harry Nelson still living with his glamorous wife and his two almost grown daughters? Life is complicated sometimes.

Ruth, as an internationally known forensics expert in bones, is invited to Italy by a former colleague. Nelson is self invited when he reads of an earthquake in the small mountain town in Italy and brings Cathbad with him and he rushes to check on Ruth and Kate.

How this tale ends is both mystifying  and a bit terrifying, as a good mystery should be.

Death Comes To The Village- Catherine Lloyd's mystery debut ~ A delightful read~

"A wounded soldier and a rector's daughter discover strange goings-on in the sleepy village of Kurland St. Mary in Catherine Lloyd's charming Regency-set mystery debut."

My first Kurland St. Mary Mystery was a fun read with some intricate details to the plot. The two main characters, Lucy Harrington and Major Robert Kurland both seem to be oblivious to their growing affection. There were two more book excerpts attached, and in those also they are close to one another while avoiding an emotional attachment.

Violence is done by a close associate of the Major, without his awareness, to both Miss Lucy Harrington and one of her household. Mary a long time maid was murdered and hidden in a crypt and Lucy came close to sharing her fate.

Lucy's family entanglements hinder any social life, as she has been her father's housekeeper and caregiver for her twin brothers for eight years. Major Kurland comes home seriously wounded from Waterloo with an entourage who barely protected him.

Their ability to share details of events in this small village and help others makes a very readable storyline. I intend to get book two right away. 

Memento Mori - A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire - Ruth Downie - Love this series - Order Yours!

Author’s Note ” Aqua Sulis is one of the most visited sites in Roman Britain, perhaps because it combines a lovely setting with spectacular remains..over 130 curse tablets deposited in the waters..From the floor level down, the Great Bath is much the same today as it was when Ruso swam in it” and My thanks go to all the readers who travel with Ruso and Tilla”  

I travel with Ruso,the Medicus and his wife Tilla and now their extended family, which grows with each  outing. Valens who is a colleague and very close personal friend of Ruso, sends a messenger ( also a colleague of Ruso) to let him know that he is accused of murdering his wife.

Albanus, the former assistant to Ruso when he was still in the Army, was distraught when he arrived due to the death of Serena. Additionally Albanus is tutor to Valens twin sons, now in the custody of Pertinex, former Centurian  over all three of these men. 

Catus, brother of Pertinex,Virana now-wife to Albanus but biological mother to Mara, adopted daughter of Tila and Ruso as well as Gleva, who is both Priestess and mistress to Pertinex round out the immediate characters involved. Characters many of them are, for sure! They leap off the page, each unique in a different fashion.

The plot involves Aqua Solis, more than a Roman Bath but a religious site with the   goddess Minerva Sulis  of extreme  importance to what is now modern-day Bath. The Governor arrives post haste to "try" the case, as Valens' father in law is  convinced his daughter  and her recent love interest, was murdered by her husband.  Tides, the mysteries of this sacred spring as well as other obstacles stand in the way of untangling what happened. There is no resolution until the very end.

Always the juxtaposition between Tilla, a British native and her husband a Roman physician from Gaul gives wonderful depth and that depth is replicated for many such couples and associates of our main characters. That is Roman Britain.
All of this is why I love this series so.. 

The Zig Zag Girl- Elly Griffiths ~ A Great Series ~

Book #1 of the series sets the stage for the Stephens & Mephisto Mysteries ( aka Magic Men) and a fine story it was. ( I had already finished book #2)

The Magic Men unit in WWII apparently had brought together a group of people who did not always relate well to others. People who were thought to be dead were alive, and were trying to do others in.The first murder was a female cut in three pieces, like magicians pretend to do. Who was the spy in their war unit?

Max Mephisto and DI Edgar Stephens were friends in the war and their friendship deepens. The dynamics of the Brighton Police Unit are amusing and the book is extremely well written. Elly Griffiths is a masterful writer. I will now get Book #3 and look forward to a 4th in the series later this year.

Smoke and Mirrors- Book #2 Magic Men series - Elly Griffiths - Awesome Read !

The Stephens & Mephisto Mystery series is just great- of course in my own odd way I read book 2 first, but I also downloaded book one as back up. DI Stephens is a likeable competent character not terribly unlike Ruth Galloway (smart and a non conformist). The back story of their WWII record that brought this dissimilar group together is good to read. Book #1 helps there, but they do bring up explanatory vignettes as you go along.

The Christmas season in Brighton brings a very sad murder of two young teens, and Max Mephisto and DI Edgar Stephens( wartime friends) are again together to solve the case. Police Officer Emma Holmes is a terrific character in this one too, she and Bob who are DI Edgar's sergeants play prominent roles in this, for reasons of contrast. The characters are so well done and Ruby is now playing a prominent role;I need to finish book #1 to understand how that transpired.

Christmas comes to Brighton, the police department and the pantomime theater crowd are provided with a happy end to another missing child story.Edgar's sister Lucy and his nephews will feature in his Christmas celebrations, and Max has a glimmer in his eye also.

A second fine series for wonderful and talented author Elly Griffiths. 

Murder on Astor Place- Book #1 of a stellar series- Victoria Thompson- Get yours!

 I have read most of the series.. one or two am not sure and this is book #1. The storyline tells of when Sarah Decker Brandt, midwife, first came in contact with Frank Malloy, the police detective amid a murder investigation.

Bringing it all together is Sarah going to deliver a baby, and meeting someone she thought she knew at the rooming house the expectant mother ran. The next morning, checking on the infant and mother, she was told of a murder in an upstairs room.

 Sgt. Malloy is the investigating person from NYPD and Sarah meets him. Without wanting to or meaning to ( at least for awhile) they work on this murder together. Startlingly it involves a very high society family that Sarah knew in her growing up years, even more startling is the mystery.
Start this series, it is a great one  

The Janus Stone - Elly Griffths- ~ a 5 Star Series - Start Reading!

 5 Stars Book #2- I am hopping around as I started with Book 4 and went back to the first book and skipped around some more. (Library digital loan had some) This one was quite scary in parts with one sort of gruesome reported murder 
(must remember- it is only a book) 

Dr. Ruth's pregnancy is advancing and she shares that information with those most closely affected. Unfortunately, a dangerous murderer ( who has successfully hidden his derangement for 50 years), also knows Ruth's secret and is obsessed with destroying all evidence of his crimes.
Nelson, Cathbad and a long missing man who is also an archaeologist come to her rescue.

Many lives were entangled in this historical property, with both Roman and more modern buried secrets. As always the mystery is tightly drawn and has a good outcome ( for our heroine anyway)            Start reading this series. 

The Woman in Blue- Elly Griffiths's #8 Ruth Galloway mystery - " So engrossing - the world could end without me noticing" 5 Stars

Another great Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway novel..Ruth and Nelson are getting closer..What did he say at the end when he touches her hand? Hmmm.. Plots are thickening in every direction here, the mystery was very intricate, as are the personal dynamics.

Sexism rears it's ugly head in this book about Walsingham Pilgrims and Pilgrimages on Holy Week. The mystery culminates at a Good Friday Passion Play and the story ends on Easter Sunday. In between there is madness, murder and mysterious assignations.

Ruth Galloway is an archeologist and unwed mother with a terrifically diverse group of cohorts. She is "seconded" to the Serious Crimes police department for her expertise in bones, so has this dual professional life, where her main love interest is DCI Harry Nelson the "chief".

So I am caught up until Book #10 comes out, but will go back and order the 2nd and 3rd books in series and someday will reread in order.

I saw a review where someone said "the world could end while I am reading this and would not notice" Yes! Exactly!

The Chalk Pit - Elly Griffiths - Ruth Galloway Series #9 - Just incredible~ 5 Stars~

I am absolutely enthralled with this series..Too bad I am reading them out of order but eventually I can reread the whole series from start to finish.(Reason: I'm a book reviewer blogger and try to read my favorite authors from NetGalley but sometimes from E-Library loans) I am recommending them to my sister also ( and several hundred others through my blogs)

This is book 9 and I so hated for it to end last night. In addition to the awesome mystery about "Rough Sleepers" and their possible "Underground" Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson came to an interesting part of their relationship, almost 10 years into it.

So for folks like me who like their mysteries set in other eras or countries, this one is set in Norfolk and Dr. Ruth Galloway is a forensic archeologist who is "seconded" ( assigned to), the serious crime division of the Police department. Ruth herself lives in a remote area on the edge of the salt marsh outside of the town of Lynn and was part of a dig that excavated a wooden henge in past years.

Rough sleepers is what we call homeless in the US and the Underground discussed has to do with a series of tunnels which are partly old chalk pits under the town. Some of the homeless begin to be murdered, one of them who sleeps on the porch of the Police headquarters and is known, fondly, to many. Then some mysterious disappearances occur, which even touch the police group Ruth works with. 

It ends in the underground aforementioned, and you need to start this series now! I recommend starting at the beginning which is "The Crossing Places" and has to do with the discovery and excavation of the Iron Age henge in the salt marsh.
5 Stars definitely

Free From All Danger - A Richard Nottingham Mystery - Chris Nickson - Intense ~Riveting

October, 1736. Lured out of retirement to serve as Constable once again, Richard Nottingham finds Leeds very different from the place he remembers. Many newcomers have been attracted by the town's growing wealth ?..although the faces have changed, the crimes remain the same, as Nottingham discovers when a body is found floating in the River Aire, its throat cut.


An incredibly exciting mystery was presented in this book, as well as a nostalgic visit with Richard Nottingham, who again is serving as Constable in Leeds. 

October 1736 -  Richard Nottingham feels old and a bit disoriented as winter approaches, and has slipped into the past and is evading the present.  He receives a message from the Moot Hall and John Brooke, Mayor of Leeds who is starting his year in office. Amazingly, Nottingham is told that they would like him to step back into the vacancy left by the death of Simon Kirkstall.

His daughter's man Rob Lister,currently Deputy Constable,is his immediate choice, but is deemed too young and not experienced enough by the other alderman. Brooke tells him he was the best Constable they ever had, which Nottingham feels is doubtful.

Getting the keys to the jail which serves as  their office, Richard is there when Rob arrives at work and the Deputy is understandably upset.  There is not too much time for hurt feelings however as a series of murders rocks the city, and both Constable and Deputy Rob are baffled.

Nottingham has a theory, which Rob Lister, Deputy does not agree with, that links three types of  those murdered, prostitutes, pimps and money lenders. How do they fit?

Included is this nail biter of a mystery are the street children always barely existing, and at risk, around Leeds as well as a newborn girl. How do they fit into the Nottingham/Lister family? Who is the murderer  or murderers and how are they connected to  the Constable and his life ?

I  strongly recommend that you, and anyone who enjoys  a well thought out, historically correct mystery, order this book now and get it immediately. You will not be able to put it down.

 For me, one of the best parts of this series is that Richard Nottingham was a real person who was, in actuality, the Constable of Leeds. My thanks to  Chris Nickson for his books, the historical aspects of these mysteries and, above all his great love for Leeds.

5 Stars. Thanks to Severn House and the author for the ARC.

Ruth's First Christmas Tree -Elly Griffiths ~ Marvelous little read ~

A delightful small book to read on a snowy day..and it was free.. and about dear Ruth Galloway.
The author brought all the principals into this one for a holiday read. ( Good idea since I was trying to remember who Max was while reading a subsequent book) 

Actually it seems to have been Kate's first tree but of course in Ruth's house. I very much loved Nelson and Cathbad decorating the upside down tree..Yggdrasil .
Start this series!! Loving it. 

A Dying Note- A Silver Rush Mystery #6 - Ann Parker ~ Fine Historical Mystery series ~ Get your copy ordered!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and found it enjoyable. I had reviewed the first book Silver Lies also and really loved it. This one was good reading also but the mystery was very complex. 

Great attention had to be paid, as to who was the designated detective for which part of the complex chain of events. I am fairly sure that Inez Stannert, still co-owner of Leadville Colorado's Silver Queen saloon, was in actuality the mastermind of keeping the peace in this San Francisco neighborhood.

Other strong personalities or interested parties involved, sometimes along with Inez and sometimes flying solo were Frisco Flo ( Mrs. Sweet) a madam from Leadville and a partner in various dubious businesses with Inez. W.R. de Bruijn had multiple roles to perform in the very complex set of circumstances, one of which was to interact with Inez Stannert's ward Antonia.

I think that Antonia Gizzi herself will be investigating herself before long. It will be so interesting to see how she comes along. She was a delightful fresh character. Pre order now for the April 3rd date and spend the time reading the previous volumes.