The Bee Keeper's WAR - Deborah Carr- Author and One More Chapter | HarperCollins ~ Warm, Engrossing , Vibrant~ Pre-order NOW!

 

Thanks to One More Chapter | HarperCollins and the author Deborah Carr for this engrossing story of life on and off the Isle of Jersey in both WWI and WWII.

From Publisher :' " 1916 At the onset of war, Nurse Pru le Cuirot left her home in Jersey to care for injured soldiers at Ashbury Manor, Dorset. She wanted to do her bit but she never expected to meet American pilot, Jack Garland, so unlike any man she has ever met."

and "1940 .. another war and Pru’s daughter Emma comes to Ashbury Manor. As Jersey falls to the Germans, Emma is fearful for her mother back home. When she meets the mysterious beekeeper who lives in the grounds of the manor she finds herself caught up" in both the past and the present.'

I'm in book clubs and review books for authors but this is a book I read straight through- It was that warm and riveting! I've read many of this author's books and very much enjoyed them but this book makes me hope that more will be written about this time.

From the bare bones I posted from the publisher, I've laid out some of the book but it was a heartwarming and entrancing read! All the characters were vibrant and remained so and were joined by a new young generation in 1940. The Channel Islands and especially Jersey and it's wartime saga(s) over centuries make me want to read more! I'm planning to read "The Poppy Fields" next!

Evan Can Wait ( A Constable Evans Mystery) by Rhys Bowen ~ 5 Stars!

 

"Constable Evan Evans, sole police officer in the charming Welsh village of Llanfair, is assigned to assist an expedition to raise a World War II German bomber plane from the bottom of  ' Llyn Llydaw.' "  which is the King Arthur Lake holding Excalibur. 

"The whole venture is being filmed for a documentary on World War II and Evans tries to assist the film crew by finding them local people with stories to tell. Little does he realize that resurrecting the past can sometimes mean opening old wounds."

Murders happen of course and some WWII murders were connected. He is not the officer on duty but of course almost gets killed as he solves the crime(s).

What a fine read this one was- probably the best of the series so far! I'm delighted that each one gets better, since I love to reread favorite series this will work! 

On to the next in the series where I'm hoping that he and Bronwyn get closer as a couple.

A Taste for Killing (A Bradecote and Catchpoll Investigation #10) by Sarah Hawkswood~ PreOrder your copy Now!

 #ATasteforKilling #NetGalley 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Thanks to Allison & Busby and the great Author Sarah Hawkswood for this 10th outing on Bradecote and Catchpoll ( and let us not forget the young undersheriff Walkelin, who is rising in prowess).

A Medieval Mystery which is always to my liking, and was so glad to read about the new addition to Under Sheriff's family! Of course they solved the complicated mystery, maybe the crime scene could have been discussed a bit less, but a very fine read!

Happily waiting for the next outing!

The Stone Rose ~ The Rose Trilogy by Carol McGrath~ Enthralling and Amazingly Vivid ~ Preorder your copy now!

#TheStoneRose #NetGalley. 5 Stars~   

"London, 1350. Agnes, daughter of a stonemason, is struggling to keep her father's trade in a city decimated by plague. And then she receives a mysterious message from the disgraced Queen Isabella: mother of King Edward III, and widow of Edward II. Isabella has a task that only Agnes can fulfil. She wants her truth to be told. "

" The third instalment of Carol McGrath's acclaimed She-Wolves Trilogy: the gripping series exploring the tumultuous lives and loves of three queens of England - and of three women who lived in their shadow.

Based on the extraordinary true story of the female stonemason who carved a queen's tomb!"

Huge thanks to Carol McGrath, Headline Accent and NetGalley for this very engrossing historical novel. I really read this one straight through, first time I've done that since 2020, it was positively enthralling. Could NOT put it down!

Actually two stories about the life of  Isabella and Edward, as well as  the young female stonemason  who carves and decorates her tomb with her " stone roses", are  intertwined in an almost seamless way, although 30 years or so apart.

There was so very much little known historical data, that I'll be rereading it quite soon to make sure I absorb it all.  I need to understand more about all these real persons in this tale.  Carol McGrath's historical novels are always impeccably researched and contain vivid characters.

Book #1 The Silken Rose is about  Allenore (Eleanor) wife to Henry III

Book # 2 of the She-Wolves Trilogy is The Damask Rose about Eleanor of Castile, wife to Henry II ( the Eleanor Crosses )  I'll go back and get that one now! ) I believe I have anxiously waited for, read and enthusiastically reviewed all of Carol's novels over several years.

#MurderonMadisonSquare #NetGalley ~ (Gaslight Mystery #25) by Victoria Thompson ~ Terrific!! -5 Stars - Preorder now!

#MurderonMadisonSquare #NetGalley. Thanks to Victoria Thompson and Berkley Publishing.

I've read I've read and reviewed every one of her Gaslight mysteries at least twice and buy them as gifts. I'm very happy to have this one, #25 to review.

It was a great read as always with some surprises at the end. I was hoping for a wedding or a baby announcement, maybe next time! I guess what I love the most is how all the main characters have gotten together as one big family type situation! The mysteries are also very well done, not too scary at all. Just right, and the awards the author has gotten highlight that.

This mystery had a somewhat different twist at the end and everyone had a different take on it. The historical context in all the mysteries makes them special also, this one was no exception. Frank and Sarah attend the Madison Square Garden Auto Show in 1900 and the murders abound!

Frank, Sarah, Gino, and Maeve all participate in investigating. It's a very good thing that the older Mrs. Malone is there to watch the children. Loved it!!. Thanks to Victoria Thompson and Berkley Publishing.

"Royal Flush" Her Royal Spyness Mystery (#3) Rhys Bowen ~ Such an Enjoyable Series~

 I don't remember reading this Royal Spyness book before really, maybe I do remember bits of it but it was SO GREAT ! It got this .. "Finalist 2009 Agatha Award for Best Novel" on "Stop You're Killing me and was just very exciting.

Georgie is "sent" to Castle Rannoch and solves several mysteries that were connected to each other.

Darcy and she firmly seem to be together and her grandfather is in Scotland with her too. Poor little Podge, her nephew is kidnapped briefly and Binky was also invalided. Before I forget, Georgie's mother ends up at Scotland in the "mix". Wow!

This one is a 'Must Read', but then so are the first and second. I myself am rereading the entire series from the beginning, buying one or two and library loans also!

Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder ~Catherine Lloyd ~ 5 Stars - PreOrder NOW-!!

 

#MissMorton and theEnglish House Party Murder #NetGalley 

5 Stars 

Thanks to Kensington, NetGalley and of course Catherine Lloyd for this ARC. I was thrilled to get this new book in Catherine Lloyd's new Regency series. 

I have been waiting for this one, as her last mystery series, Kurland St. Mary are favorites that I read ( and reread) with pleasure.

The mystery was a mystery until the end and very much kept my attention. Caroline is a delightful character, as is the Doctor, and Caroline's new employer. Please keep them coming!