The Midnight Hour- The Brighton Mysteries- Thanks Elly Griffiths and Mariner bBooks- Best of Series So Far~

 #TheMidnightHour #NetGalley Thanks to the great Elly Griffiths and Mariner Books for this awesome read! I think it is the best so far of this series, I did not want it to end! The series, formerly "Magic Men Mysteries"is now "The Brighton Mysteries" with a much enlarged cast of characters.

"The Brighton police force is on the hunt for another killer, but this time they have some competition—a newly formed all-women’s private eye firm, led by none other than the police chief’s wife."

if you think that doesn't get complicated, add Max Mephisto, DI Bob and Meg Connolly the Constable.

Verity Malone's husband Bert Billington was poisoned - Boom- right at the beginning of the story! The list of who would hate him enough to kill him grew and grew!

The cast of women investigators PI Emma Holmes (Wife of Police Superintendant) Sam Collins also grew with DC Meg added into their small group. The ladies carried the day! Wonderful! 

A Dreadful Destiny - A Libertus Mystery of Roman Britain - Rosemary Rowe~

  "An unwelcome proposal of marriage has far-reaching repercussions in this skilfully plotted historical mystery. April, CE 194."

#ADreadfulDestiny #NetGalley Thanks Severn House and Rosemary Rowe for this ARC. Now I am wondering if this is the last time I see Libertus, it sure WAS "A Dreadful Destiny"! I won't give spoilers but poor Gwella and the rest of the family.

I have always enjoyed the author's take on Roman Britain and this one was terrific up to maybe the last third and something happened. Fortunately Libertus will either end up bouncing back OR will he actually go back to his Celtic nobleman roots I WOULD like to hear more from him about the Celtic part of his life? Hopefully..

Brass Lives - Chris Nickson- A Tom Harper Mystery~ Best of the Series~ PreOrder Now!

 Having read all the books in this series, I feel qualified to say this, Book #9, was the best of them all!The story line never quit, one event after another kept happening until the very last page. Tom Harper and his family have so much depth after eight books, that there was a constant interplay of different happenings that were gripping.

DCI Harper and his colleagues from years past all coalesce to solve what seemed like an endless and ever growing list of crimes. An actual list which the inspector pinned up on his office wall and added to as they went along. Starting with an American criminal based "loosely" on a real man who was a product of Leeds incidents of increasing importance occurred. Pressure was put on the various divisions that Harper was in charge of by the newspapers and other city officials.

Added to that is the facts that 20 years have occurred since the first book, and both Tom and his wife Annabelle are aging. Their daughter Mary, a business woman now is engaged to be married. Now she and her father must conspire in their protection of a possible live changing event for his wife and her "Mam".

From the author's ending of the book, I am hoping we are going to be expecting a tenth in the series as "War" has been mentioned by the Chief Constable and the Home Office. DCI Harper needs to start preparing for replacements in the force as well as changed in his personal life. I'll be waiting!

The Heron's Cry - Ann Cleeves- A Detective Matthew Venn Novel #2 ~ What a Thriller !!

#The HeronsCry #NetGalley and thanks to Minotaur and Netgalley for this thriller. 5 Stars.

"DI Matthew Venn returns in The Heron's Cry, in Ann Cleeves powerful next novel, proving once again that she is a master of her craft."

What a gripping story, bringing back regulars from the first Two Rivers book, as well as some local friends and acquaintances. Matthew Venn and his husband Jonathon, Officer Jenn and Ross are plunged into a succession of murders in this outing.

Dr.Nigel Yeo starts it off by being found in his daughter glass studio and a quick succession follows. 

Is a serial killer loose and does it have to do with Yeo investigating young suicides for a granted oversight program? 

The ending will surprise!

Murder In an Orchard Cemetery - Cora Harrison - Best So Far! August 2021~ Get yours!

Possibly the best Reverend Mother mystery yet ( or do I always say that)? Reverend Mother and her cousin Lucy remind me so much of me and my cousin Patricia, same age,Irish and our memories of everyone.

"When a body is discovered in the convent's apple orchard cemetery, blown to pieces by a makeshift bomb, it is assumed the IRA are responsible. But does the killer lie closer to home? Once again, the Reverend Mother must call on her renowned investigative skills to unearth the shocking truth. "

Yes this setting is a convent, although a large important one, with an annual retreat convened by the Bishop of Cork. Unfortunately, on this one political candidates for Alderman are included. This certainly confuses this issue which the Reverend Mother is able to untangle and show as a family issue.

Happily regular characters Cousin Lucy, Patrick, Eileen and Dr. Scher are called to assist. Awesome read!

Wolf At The Door- Sarah Hawkswood- #WolfattheDoor #NetGalley ~ PreOrder Yours Now~

I do love these Bradcote and Catchpoll medieval mysteries and many thanks to Allison&Busby, Sarah Hawkswood and NetGalley for this ARC. I first had to check on the word "wuduweard" apparently Middle English for "wood ward" an occupational name.

Two wuduweards existed in Worcestershire one in Feckenham and one in the north of Worcestershire in Tutnall. One was a good man and the other was clearly not.

Then we had a wolf, mostly unheard of in that area, who presumably killed Durand of Feckenham.

William de Beauchamp Sheriff of Worcestershire and our main men, Undersheriff Bradcote and Serjeant Catchpoll go on the chase with an entourage of hunters,dogs and soldiers and do battle with some very evil men.

There are a lot more casualties from fires, robberies gone bad and the keepers of the wolf perpetrated on innocent people. In the end, of course, our heroes and the Sheriff captured and took back to their fate these outlaws. Walkelin the young assistant to Catchpoll is elevated to "Underserjeant Walkelin"-a good way to end the story. This series never fails to be unique and exciting. I recommend it strongly!

 

An Island At War- Deborah Carr- Strong Historical Events~ 5 Stars~ Great Read ~

 "June 1940

While her little sister Rosie is sent to the UK to keep her safe from the invading German army, Estelle Le Maistre is left behind on Jersey to help her grandmother run the family farm. When the Germans occupy the island, everything changes and Estelle and the islanders must face the reality of life under Nazi rule."

A very enjoyable story with strong historical events that were fictionalized quite well. It was not a demanding read which was also a reason I enjoyed it ( the author wrote it during the Covid Lockdown, so not too many ups and downs).I forgot that it was fictional and was waiting for a romance to flourish between Estelle and Hans, which didn't happen. Hmmm. Maybe a sequel, a few years later?

The author is a native of this island of Jersey (a Channel Island) and had , if not first hand knowledge of what went on, at least second hand knowledge from her grandfather and other relatives.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for this excellent read!

The Summer Before The War- Helen Simonson- Astonishingly poignant and meaningful~ Must Read~ 5 Stars +

 What a wonderful book this was, so full of emotion and feelings. I am glad I purchased it and will read it again. I actually went right back and reread the last chapters as there were revelations and nuances I needed to firm up.

A picture of WWI in Europe, reminiscent of the books "While England Slept" and "Why England Slept" about WWII by Churchill and Kennedy. This was an earlier war while sleepy English villages like Rye held dear to their "standards" aka "prejudices", as war thundered towards them.

The main characters Hugh and Beatrice had integrity and compassion and happily found love but many other of the characters grew in depth, some sadly in death. I had to dig out who Daniel really was so definitely will reread this one soon.

Summa Cum Laude to Helen Simonson for both novels which I loved.

The Night Hawks - Dr. Ruth Galloway mystery #13- #TheNightHawks #NetGalley- 5 Stars~ Awesome~

 #TheNightHawks #NetGalley Thanks to all for this very exciting ARC, which I am hoping is pointing to a book #14 to at least answer a question or two. The ending -WOW!

Ruth is back at Uni of North Norfolk and taking Phil's old job as head of the Archaeology department. A new lecturer seems to get on her nerves both with his associates and his theories. The Night Hawks are a group of amateur archaeologists who use metal detectors at night. A find of theirs, a Bronze Age cache, brings DCI Harry Nelson into the mix, with Ruth always seconded to the Police Major Crimes Division.

A string of murder and deaths coincide, one is found at the Bronze Age site and two immediately after it.All of Nelson's staff get drawn into these multiple murders which may have common ties to a local legend of the "Black Shuck",called a harbinger of death.

Death seems imminent for Nelson, Ruth and Michelle for a brief time. After they are saved and Nelson is recovering from his wound, he and his mother have a discussion. Not only does he divulge that "Katie" is his daughter but he and his mum have a heart to heart. Loved this ending.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson~ 5 Stars~ Wonderful read!

 Such a delightful book that I almost couldn't put down, big thanks to my book club for the selection. I purchased the author's second book, hoping it's also terrific. I found myself laughing out loud often at funny things Major Ernest Pettigrew said.

Major Pettigrew, a widower 'pushing 70' and faced with his only sibling's sudden death becomes enamored with Jasmina Ali a widow ten years younger. Most of his small English village of Edgecombe St. Mary is horrified as she is a Pakistani shopkeeper. This shock includes his only son Roger and Mrs. Ali's extended family who scheme to send her to Pakistan, although she was born and raised in England.

His acknowledgement of this multifaceted prejudice, and his awareness of what and how things might change is a literary masterpiece. "We must concentrate only on the next step and then the next.. We do what we can do and and the rest is "God's problem" Major Pettigrew stated as he and Mrs. Ali rushed to her nephew's rescue.

The book ends with his ecumenical ( sort of ) marriage to this delightful person with invited guests who are both happy and unhappy with his choices. 

The Forest of Vanishing Stars- Kristin Harmel- A "Must Read" - 5 Stars~

#ForestofVanishingStars #NetGalley 5 Stars Thanks author, publisher for the ARC.

An amazing book. which was not just about Jews fleeing the Nazi's near Belarus- it had some mystical almost magical elements. Yona ,who was born Inge to a wealthy young German couple was stolen the night of her second birthday and raised in the forest.

Jerusza, her kidnapper never let her see others, but taught her all she knew and more., Jerusza was old then and mystical voices told her what would happen in the future and that Inge/Yona would play a part.. What she never showed her was love or how to love or even to interact with others.

When the old lady died at 102 In early 1940 the Polish Holocaust was driving Jews into the nearby Naliboki forest. Yona interacts with them with compassion and tries to save them by sharing her forest lore. The author's fine notes tells us about the Bielski Partisans who practiced guerrilla war against the oppressors. Yona and her groups of survivors eventually did the same.

I have read " The Book of Lost Names" and this novel is just as excellent in a different way.

Three Times the Lady- Anna Chant - Women of the Dark Ages Book #3 ~ Terrific~ 5 Stars

 I am very much enjoying all the books from Anna Chant's "Women of the Dark Ages " series..Judith was very much an anomaly for her times but had an interesting and productive life. Alfred the Great was her beloved stepson and his youngest daughter married Baldwin II her son.

I am starting "Dawn of the Franks" now and will finish up with "The Girl from Brittia" before starting the next series about Siward of Gloucester and his compatriots. 

Recommended strongly for fans of Medieval Historical novels

Judge Thee Not- Edith Maxwell- A Quaker Midwife Mystery~ Very Enjoyable ~ Only ONE left to read!!

 Really enjoying this series and only one left to read, having started with an ARC for Book #7.

Lots of exciting events all with a theme of being accepting of others' differences, and of course murders!

Happily all of the main characters, most of the support characters and their children are well at the end of this book. Rose and David are anticipating their wedding and David had a big surprise for her.

Recommended! I actually sent a copy of book #1 to my friend in New Jersey to read, I enjoyed the pace so much. 

The Steel Beneath The Silk - Patricia Bracewell - Book 3 of the Trilogy~ Incredibly well done~

 

"In the year 1012 England’s Norman-born Queen Emma has been ten years wed to an aging, ruthless, haunted King Æthelred. The marriage is a bitterly unhappy one, between a queen who seeks to create her own sphere of influence within the court and a suspicious king who eyes her efforts with hostility and resentment. But royal discord shifts to grudging alliance when Cnut of Denmark, with the secret collusion of his English concubine Elgiva, invades England at the head of a massive viking army."

Like many others, I have waited years to read this final book in the trilogy of Patricia Bracewell's Emma of Normandy saga. I loved this book and must admit I love Emma also, my mother's family came to Ireland with the Norman kings by the early 12th century.

It was a wonderful tale enhanced by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle excerpts which give it great credibility. I think it ends in a very good place with a relationship between Emma and Cnut amicably looking toward the future.

Very much recommended to all, even those who have not read the other two books ( but I recommend them to you) 5 Stars!

Kenneth's Queen- Anna Chant (Women of the Dark Ages, #1) ~ Enthralling and Informative~

 An absolutely enthralling book about an unknown to history woman, whose husband Cinaed and children have descendants in English Royal house today. Cinaed, known to history as Kenneth Mac Alpin was the son of Alpin and generally regarded as the founder of medieval Scotland.

Baena,as Anna Chant the author names her, was a Pictish princess who was handfasted to Cinaed who was partially a Pict and was a Gael son of a king of Dal Riata. I learned an immense amount about these tribes and their wars from this excellently written author.

Baena was at first ignored by Cinead until his father Alpin was murdered and he would need to assume his role and father legitimate heirs. Their relationship was a struggle but became a good one and she supported Cinaed in his efforts to unite Dal Riata Gaels and the Pictish tribes.

I plan to read the rest of the "Women of the Dark Ages" books and anything else the author has written. 

The Venice Sketchbook- Rhys Bowen- Delightful Read! Order Now!

#TheVeniceSketchbook #NetGalley A delightful book that I read straight through, the best WWII so far for me( a genre I enjoy).Thanks Lake Union NetGalley and @Rhysbowen.

Venice pre-WWII ( 1938) finds Juliet Browning returning with a group of students and becoming reacquainted with Leonardo Da Rossi. This meeting will bloom into a love story that another generation in 2001 will continue.

Juliet's great niece, Caroline Grant inherits from "Aunt Lettie" her ashes, some artwork and 3 keys which will unlock secrets, some of which will remain. A compelling read with a fine ending. Recommended for WWII historical mystery fans.

The Book of Lost Names- Kristin Harmel- Terrific Book Club Read! ~ 5 Stars~

 I very much enjoyed this book, it was my book club choice for this month and I'm very happy about that. I have been enjoying many of the WWII era books. I was born at the very end of the war while my father was still in the South Pacific. and we didn't discuss it much for that reason.

The story actually begins in 2005 after Eva is working in a Florida library and sees a book she had encoded with real names of children.It skips back and for between 2005 when she flies to Paris and the details of her life as a forger for the French Resistance.

Eva Traube's parents seem to have been deniers of their danger in Paris, Her father, a Polish Jew had some idea of danger, as he had made a plan with an employer to provide escape documents for Eva.When they come for him at night Eva goes to that man who won't forge papers after the fact. He does give her some art supplies to make her own documents and tells her where Jews are fleeing in a free part of France.

In that small town in Free France, which eventually falls, Eva had a love affair with another resistance worker, Remy. She mourns his death her whole life and the ending had a lovely surprise. 

The Lady's Gamble- Anne R. Bailey - Very well done- Enjoyable~ 5 Stars~

 A very enjoyable book which I read straight through, from an author whose books I follow. ( Just finished Thyra also, also terrific)

Elizabeth Seymour is a recent widow with two children, when she comes to court as a lady-in-waiting to her sister Jane Seymour who has married Henry VIII. These are very unsettled times as Anne Boleyn was executed just prior to her sister's marriage to Henry.

Elizabeth Seymour, who was Jane's younger sister tries her best to serve her sister while trying to provide for her own very young children,who are in their grandfather Lord Ughtred's care.

She comes to the attention of Thomas Cromwell and meets and likes his son Gregory. Apparently Cromwell thinks she would be a fine match for his son and she is agreeable to the match.

Her life goes on as her Sister's comes to an end. She and Gregory Cromwell had a happy marriage but not lengthy marriage and five children resulted. Very nicely done!

Thyra (Forgotten Women of History Book 3) - Anne R. Bailey~ An Excellent Read~

 A delightful and very readable story of a woman who lived long ago and what is known of her life. I very much enjoyed reading this novel of her life, much of which is known to history.

Thyra, in this tale had a long romance with Gorm before they married and she went to his country to live.. History is not clear on who she was, quite possible an English noblewoman. That she lived is pretty certain as a rune stone dedicated by her son Harald stands in Jelling Denmark in honor of his parents, as does one to Thyra erected by Gorm.

Thyra was said to have been strong, brave and defended Denmark. The stone erected to her says this:"“King Gorm made these runes in honour of his wife Thyra, the pride of Denmark”.

Very pleased to have gotten this book by an author I follow.

Blood Runs Thicker- A Medieval Mystery- Sarah Hawkswood~ A Powerful Read!~

My 8th outing with Bradcote and Catchpoll #BloodRunsThicker and what a mystery! I'm not positive I can go back and enumerate the list of suspects, which seriously ebbs and flows!

 From the publisher:"Osbern de Lench is known far and wide as a hard master. With an heir who is cast in the same hot-tempered mould, sworn enemies for neighbours, undersheriff Hugh Bradecote, the wily Serjeant Catchpoll and apprentice Walkelin have suspects aplenty." 

 Always an exciting tale is in store, for this place in time ,with an author who is very well versed in Medieval history. The author's narratives are sensitive to women's very understated but real roles in this society, as well as their sometimes powerlessness. Bradcote, as well as his two henchman, work so well together and attempt to empower those without legal status in Society. 

 Hamo, the second son was an especially interesting character with his odd quirks, but he and others such as the Healer, her assistant and a beggar or two were well tolerated by the trio. The Welsh Marches at this time were in anarchy between two Normans and hierarchy was very fluid and lawlessness abounded.

The Dragons of Archenfield - Edward Marston- All coming out in kindle now~ 5 Star ReRead!

The series continued to improve with each outing, so glad I am rereading them again. I only read three or four in the past and hope to read them all now. Thanks Alison & Busby for the ARC!

"DOMESDAY IS COMING ! In 1086, England's mighty king, William the Conqueror, sends out surveyors and census takers to record the resources of his land and its people."

This exciting story starts with an attack and horrific murder on a man and his holdings. It appears to be Welsh marauders because they left a red dragon imprint in the dirt, but was it? Three important men apparently had laid claim to the same tract of land that the King's agents were coming to investigate.

Gervase goes missing in this saga and Ralph seems to find a soulmate? A must read to understand this volatile era post Norman Conquest.

 

To The Dark ( A Simon Westow Mystery #3) ~ Masterful and Suspenseful!!

 #ToTheDark #NetGalley Severn House and Chris Nickson, storyteller superb of Leeds, many thanks for this very exciting historical mystery.

"Winter is about to take a chilling twist...Leeds, 1822.Thief-taker Simon Westow is drawn into a deadly puzzle when the melting snow reveals a dark secret-" As always, Chris Nickson tells a story of historical Leeds as it was in that particular period of time. It was a time of desperation for many people and almost, but not quite, lawless.

Westow and his wife Rosie and his sometime assistant Jane, are involved in a many layered mystery involving the Constable of Leeds, as well as at least one unsolved death. These events resulted in the death of the constable and serious injury of Jane and another younger girl.

The storyline took some extreme turns and I was surprised at some of the events! I am expecting Simon to have increased involvement in Leeds government as he seems to be increasingly feared, as well as respected.( but who really knows until next time)

Again Chris Nickson pens a masterful, suspenseful tale of a dark period in Leeds history. Get yours March 2, 2021!

#AChangingLight #NetGalley- A Quaker Midwife Mystery - Edith Maxwell- Pre-order Now!

 #AChangingLight #NetGalley 4.5 stars rounded to 5."Edith Maxwell is an Agatha-Award winning and national bestselling mystery author.She writes the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries",which was nominated once and won the Agatha Award once.

I definitely will try one of those two books,(one is a a short story) as this seems to be the end of this series. Rose Carroll, now married and expecting a child is drawn into a murder investigation that occurred at an annual event in her town Amesbury. Apparently as usual, she throws herself into helping the police solve this crime and has her own life threatened.

The well done epilogue shows Rose and her newborn daughter and her husband discussing how the crime was solved and agreeing that there would be no more "detective" work. Very easy to read and enjoyable book. 

The Ravens of Blackwater - Edward Marston ~ Terrific Read- 5 Stars~

 Thanks to Lesley@allisonandbusby for Book 2 of the Domesday Series which I very much enjoyed. I am going to reread this whole series ( read 1-3 in the past).Book #2 had much more vibrant characterization than the first, often the case for series!

Continuing to follow Gervase Bret,chancery legal expert and half Saxon,and Ralph Delchaird Norman soldier and their clerical assistants, as they continue to follow problems in the Domesday Book. The foursome and it's escorts are much more comfortable with each other than in the pilot book of the series.

There continue to be tensions between Saxons, Normans, and occasionally Danes in the recently conquered land, and the mix of this group of "fixers" seem to work well. Post Norman Conquest 11th Century England is quite fascinating in it's customs laws and mores and I am on to the next volume.

Long Bright River- Liz Moore~ Amazingly both gripping and graphic~ 5 Stars!

 

Amazingly both gripping and graphic, Long Bright River was one book I could not put down. Initially I was drawn into it because it was situated in Kensington, where my mother's family came from, Mom was born and her mother died tragically. Author Liz Moore is truly talented and gifted and I will read all her books.

It's about two sisters Mickey and Kacey and their childhood, adolescence and the differences between them in adulthood. Mickel( Michaela) is a police officer and Kacey is an addict who works the streets.

A string of murders in Mickey's district of addicts and prostitutes impels her to throw caution to the winds and try to find her sister.

It is described as being "an intense family thriller" and looks at family systems in an in depth way.

Recommended as top book of the year by many top book reviewers and this reader!

The Anchoress of Chesterfield: John the Carpenter (Book 4) - 5 Stars~ A Must Read Medieval Thriller~

 A fine series by a favorite,extremely talented writer, who loves the history of this area of England. John the Carpenter was orphaned at nine by the Black Death.He lost his father who taught him to love and "listen to" wood, how to be resilient and left him his tools.

Our story opens with John being fairly prosperous, in very perilous times, following plague and famine. He is asked by the coroner to investigate the death of a young anchoress, who is revered by all, and is the youngest daughter of an important man with ties to the crown.

John can barely refuse, although his wife is angry and distraught, as his previous role with a prior coroner had almost cost his life. Now six years later he very much needs the reward he is promised, which will make his family secure. Will it put his family and himself in danger? Will he solve it in the short time he is allowed?

This one was a serious nail biter through the end to the story. Highly recommended! Chris Nickson is a master at historical mysteries, especially of this epoch.

Death Comes to the Rectory - Catherine Lloyd- Book #8 - 5 Stars!

 #DeathComestotheRectory #NetGalley Thanks to Kensington Books and the author. A fine job and I am really hoping that the series goes on, having read and reviewed all eight of them now!

"In Catherine Lloyd's eighth Regency-set Kurland St. Mary Mystery, murder casts a dark shadow over the christening of Major Sir Robert Kurland and Lady Lucy's daughter Elizabeth--even more so when Lucy's own father, the rector, falls under suspicion for the crime..." Publisher's blog-

The list of suspects ebbed and flowed about who killed Lord Northam, a man that many felt they would LIKE to have done that deed. In fact suspicion fell on several members of Lucy and Robert's combined families. It was a surprising turn of events and a fun ending.