Loved loved loved this book and truly did not want it to end, I tried to read slowly and checked the last 2 books to see how old Mara would be? Did they get back to Rome after the last book ended? I was asking the book questions and laughing out loud at things Russo said.
On a serious note, Downie's excellent Author's Note explores the vast social inequalities of that time. Her characters, especially Ruso and Tilla, grow and evolve in their wisdom and as their relationship has developed. They both are, and are not, products of their environment. They do not necessarily "think" like most 2nd century people, which is a credit to the author's great writing skills, and her extensive research, which includes archaeological "hands on".
THIS of course sums the story up better than I can:"It's AD 123 and the sun is shining on southern Gaul. Ex-military medic Ruso and his British wife Tilla are back after a long absence - but it's not the reunion anyone had hoped for.
Ruso's brother has left him in charge of a farm he has no idea how to manage, a chronic debt problem and a gaggle of accident-prone small children. Meanwhile his sister Flora has run away to rescue her boyfriend, who's accused of murdering a wealthy guest at a party. "
How could you possibly not want to read this small book which could stand alone? Then of course you need to go back and begin with book #1 and begin the series. I have read it twice and am now going back to reread parts of this one. Get one for yourself right now!
Thanks NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC 4.5 stars ( rounded up) mostly for the last half of the book. It's Mystery #15 and I felt that Brother Thomas and Prioress Eleanor needed to settle their relationship issues. Guess what? They did so!!
"Prioress Eleanor is escorting her younger brother, Robert, and his wife, who is in labor, from their Marcher lands to greater safety at a Wynethorpe manor in a village just inside the English border. With her are Brother Thomas and Sister Anne. " .. Naturally a mystery awaits all of them.
The history of a twice-hanged man was an actual 1307 canonization case for Thomas de Cantilope, a bishop and a Welsh rebel William Cragh, who was hanged twice the same day 1287. He survived it was said because of the intersession of prayers to Bishop de Cantilope.
There was lots of other actual historical data used about this particular war or rebellion. Abbot Gerald also was modeled after Gerald of Wales also Loved that too as both de Cantilopes and Geraldis Cambrensis connect to both my paternal family ( Carrow) and maternal family (Faunt or L'Enfant) in Wales.
The ending was terrific and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Preorder yours now!
#TheLeadenHeart #NetGalley A super terrific read from NetGalley. 5 stars of course and review will be released closer to the July 1 release. Preorder yours now!
I just love this author and this series about almost-turn-of-the-century policing in Leeds, England. Detective Superintendent Tom Harper and his police squad encounter a series of burglaries in an upscale Leeds neighborhood.
Immediately following that, Inspector Billy Reed, his friend and former colleague comes back to Leeds for his brother's funeral. Charlie Reed, a shopkeeper has committed suicide, and Billy discovers some crippling rent rises may play a part.
Rapidly it becomes clear that corruption and organized intimidation is playing a huge part in increased hardship for citizens in Leeds. Some highly placed, if not respected,townsmen are playing a part in this. Annabelle Harper, an elected Poor Law Advocate, experiences some of the same, on another level.
Tom himself has his life threatened, but through a series of dogged round the clock police work, they bring some of the suspects to justice. The ending is very unique, I read that 3 times. I have hopes for another in the series which might bring the Reeds back to Leeds.
Chris Nickson not only is a gifted writer but an excellent historian of this area.
Happily rereading this fine series starting from book #1 (on kindle). 4.5 stars rounded up, and I have the next one too and pondering getting the whole lot of them. A favorite series that I enjoyed and it is long enough ago that I have mostly forgotten what will happen ( a few little glimmers surface).
Book 2 starts with Kate Ardleigh moving forward from the unfortunate deaths of her two aunts, one beloved to her but both were family. She is now a heiress, although raised in New York by an uncle after she was orphaned. Sir Charles Sheridan, a connection of the neighboring manor, plays a prominent role in her current life.
The Gallows Green death of the local constable and boyhood friend of Sir Charles sets a chain of events forward. Enter Beatrix Potter as a new friend of Kate,and we have a child gone missing along with a Jemima Puddleduck and Mr. Browne the owl.( where is that taking us? ) Great reading!!
4.5 stars rounded to 5. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. My review will be released close to book launch. It was very well researched and enjoyable, although I found much of Outremer scenes somewhat difficult and a bit slow.
William the Marshal has always been a favorite of mine also, as is anything about Henry II and Eleanor's family. That being said, I loved the past quarter of the book the best, and felt emotional at the end.
I recommend this closing chapter of the Marshals great life and of course,would love to hear more about his children's lives. Ancel perhaps also, and I adored how adroitly his brother's life was organized.
Jean d'Early being part of the end of the story is appropriate and perfect, as were the Author's Notes ( which I wish I had read first). Recommended heartily for followers of this family and era.
#APlainVanillaMurder #NetGalley
This was my first China Bayles mystery, thanks Susan Wittig Albert and NetGalley for this ARC. I reviewed a Darling Dahlia new release recently so wanted to try this series also as the author is a favorite of mine.I think it was fine that I had not read others in the series, as the author has brief vignettes to "catch up".
"China finds herself teaming up with the very pregnant Pecan Springs police chief Sheila Dawson to solve a vanilla-flavored murder."
Ah..so here we go.. the beginning was a little slow ( although it was explained this was a faster paced murder investigation than usual), as the quick witted chief Shelia quickly saw it was not a suicide. She was helped in this because she was called in instead of the coroner by the security chief at the University when a professor was found dead. Sheila and her deputy Dylan Miller view the body together and both are sure it was murder.
China, on the other hand is called in as friend of the deceased's ex- wife and begins to pick up clues.So the action jumps from Chief Sheila to China who ultimately pieces together the murder and some associated crimes. These included a distant murder, smuggling and finally the kidnapping of the victim's young daughter.
An interesting and light read which I enjoyed.
Although I am new to this author,first one read Dec. 30 2018, I have read all except book #2 and loved them all ( some more than others of course). I plan to purchase book #2 today so will be well positioned for further rereads, which WILL happen after a suitable time.
How will it feel going back to a premarriage, preshared household status for Gemma and Duncan? I'll soon find out..I had to hurry to read this one for two reasons, one I could borrow from my library and two it was a continuation, of sorts of the prior book, To Dwell in Darkness, as well as some of the two books prior to that.
One of the things I do enjoy greatly, is a series with vibrant characters that builds upon segments of prior works. Each of these books has at least one of the main characters involved in a new crime while still looking at aspects of a prior one, a great feat for an author.
This one started with Gemma involved in a new case involving a lovely young nanny found laying in a garden accessible only to properties that back up to it. Duncan on the other hand is secretive and still greatly concerned with what appears to be some conspiracy that has felled his prior supervisor, Denis. Melody and Doug are linked more to Duncan's issue than anything happening in their own departments.
It concluded in a rush of activity, bringing in new characters and some others who rose to this particular occasion. Closure and looking forward to the next in series and of course rereads in the future. Very fine writing and history as well as vibrant characterization
