Murder On the S.S. Cleopatra by Sara Rosett (Lady Traveler in Egypt Book Two)

 

Publication Date:

October 21, 2025

Genre: 

Cozy Mysteries, Mysteries

Length:  

304 pages

Series:

Lady Traveler in Egypt 

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Luxury, lies, and murder on a Nile cruise....

Join Blix Windway, an adventurous lady traveler, on a journey down the Nile in 1924. An eclectic mix of passengers boards the steamer, including a captain of industry, a former stunt-girl reporter turned lady of the manor, an archaeologist, an American teacher, a British doctor and his invalid wife, and a German photographer.

When a passenger is found dead, the elegant cruise turns into a floating crime scene. With everyone confined on board, tensions rise and secrets surface. Even her traveling companion, Hildy Honeyworth, is behaving as if she has something to hide. Blix must navigate the treacherous waters of the investigation and uncover the truth.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Nile River and the ancient wonders of Egypt, this classic whodunit is the second book in the 1920s Lady Traveler in Egypt series from USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett.

My Thoughts

While I know cozy mysteries are not written for historical purposes per se I still get excited about them when they are set in fun times and locations. The pyramids are always fun so this series is one I've wanted to read and keep up with. And while it was still cozy and cute, this book lacked in details that made the setting feel real. The same characters are there and I enjoy them, the mystery was fun but the "Egypt", "Nile" feel not so much. It started out promising and the passengers on the cruise do take a sight seeing tour in the beginning to some pyramids but that only lasts one chapter and is very cursory. After that the book could pretty much take place in a hotel or on a regular cruise ship. The author added some tidbits from fictional gossip articles at the beginning of each chapter, mentioning the location but it just wasn't much.

I thought the story was nice and had some red herrings that kept me guessing. When we got to the end and found out who the killer was it was clever and surprising. The way the murders were committed was not easily discovered so that meant reading it carefully was necessary. I think the story was crafted more around the crime and interview style solution than the location. In order to call it "Lady Traveler in Egypt" it's going to have to include more places, activities, and descriptions to draw me in. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Frontier by Griff Hosker (The Road To Empire Book One)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Frontier, by Griff Hosker. I recently discovered his books and website, griffhosker.com, and was greatly impressed by the series of books he has written. They span from the early Ancient period to this book, to World War II. He started this series to go back and focus more specifically on the American Revolution. 

His books focus more on the military side and might appeal more to men, but I appreciate them for the historical accuracy he puts into them. It's my favorite way to learn history. I admit I'm not a huge fan of fictional characters and prefer to focus on the real people featured, here George Washington, but the story can still be compelling told through the eyes of the made up character. 

Historical Fiction, Military Historical Fiction

June 26, 2026

Book description courtesy of Amazon Books

The seeds of world war are sown.

In the year 1754, as the American frontier becomes a canvas for a brewing global conflict, two mighty kingdoms - England and France - clash for dominion over a land brimming with untold riches. Amidst this delicate dance of power, a young Major George Washington, under the direction of Governor Dinwiddie, embarks on a perilous journey through the Ohio Valley. Tasked with persuading the French to vacate the territory, Washington, with his lack of success, will unknowingly ignite the flames of the world’s first great war.

At the heart of this tumultuous landscape is Robbie Coulter, a 20-year-old baker with a restless spirit and dreams as boundless as the wilderness itself. Disillusioned with the routine of kneading dough and the expectations of a mundane life at the family bakery, Robbie finds himself captivated by a bold recruitment poster calling brave souls to join the newly formed Virginia Regiment, destined for the Ohio wilderness. In an impulsive leap into the unknown he trades his rolling pin for a musket, ready to forge his destiny.

As Robbie marches alongside legendary figures like Major George Washington and Christopher Gist, he bears witness to the brutal reality of battle; the camaraderie and courage of his fellow soldiers shine bright against the backdrop of pain and loss. Through his eyes, we experience the heart-stopping moments of ambushes, the thrill of the hunt, and the heart-wrenching decisions that define a soldier’s spirit.

From clandestine meetings with native tribes to the pulse-pounding battles that ignite the first flames of a global war, "The Frontier" immerses readers in the raw, visceral tapestry of 18th-century America, where every choice echoes through time, and where every man’s destiny intertwines with the fate of nations. Perfect for fans of James Fenimore Cooper, Bernard Cornwell and Cormac McCarthy.

Stacking the Shelves #93

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

Murder in Moscow by Kelly Oliver (A Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery Book Five)

Libby borrow: Free

It's time to see what Fiona and Kitty are up to and I'm excited to start book five of this very unique series. I love the locations, the history Oliver throws in and the humor. Even the name of the "villain" is funny...Fredrick Fredricks. I am sad she isn't continuing after book six but that is because she started a new series which I will probably read as well. 

Death On the Rhine by Vivian Conroy (Miss Ashford Investigates Book Five)

Kindle purchase: 99 cents with points

This is just a nice series set in exotic locations with fun recurring characters. I like the mystery involved in each story and the last one I read set in Tuscany was delightful. I still need to read book four which I already own but this one was on sale so I got it this week.

Ship of Thieves by Douglas Skelton (Company of Rogues Book Five)

Kindle purchase: $1.99 this week

Pirates, kidnapping, a trip to the West Indies....it's hard for me to resist a book like this. Yes it's book five in a series I haven't started but it was on sale and the fact that it is set in the 1700's and heads to the Caribbean has me hooked.  The author has been writing for awhile and won some awards for other books so hopefully it will be well written and exciting. And the main character joins forces with Blackbeard so who can beat that? 

Noteworthy News #11: Tudors Dynasty and Beyond

Looking back in my posts I couldn't believe I hadn't posted one of these since September! I guess there hasn't been a lot of news to impart, but this week I found something I want to share. And I'm finishing three books right now so no time to write a solid review by Friday. This was the perfect week to share about yet another great podcast I've found.

Tudors Dynasty and Beyond is hosted by researcher and historian Rebecca Larson. She has been hosting this show since 2017 and started out exclusively discussing the Tudors. Since then she has branched out, hence the name...and Beyond. It is the beyond part that caught me because I am someone who read and devoured all things Tudors years ago and am more interested in the time periods before them. She has lots of great shows from the last two years centering on other eras.

Her guests have included Matt Lewis and Dan Jones, two of my favorite historians and she has a great style of casual banter with serious content. Books and websites are promoted which I love of course and as I've exhausted the content of some of my other favorite history podcasts this feels like a fresh new start with tons of shows to listen to between audiobooks. 

Her website, tudorsdynasty.com, has great articles, courses, an index of Tudor ancestors, and even a shop where you can buy fun Tudor items. 

If you love medieval history that is presented in an easy to understand way with episodes under an hour to easily finish on a short car ride this is the podcast for you. It's going to cut into my book listening time I'm sure!

Happy listening y'all and happy Friday!!
 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair by Kelly Oliver (A Detection Club Mystery Book Four)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair, by Kelly Oliver. I'm still finishing her other series, Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mysteries, but want to start on these eventually. 

This series imagines the life of Agatha Christie as a sleuth herself and is all in good fun. In this book, Christie goes to the Isle of Skye in Scotland for a hunting vacation and gets mixed up in a murder. 

Historical Mysteries, Cozy Mysteries

June 24, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Scotland, 1930: Agatha Christie is getting married. She invites fellow members of the Detection Club to the windswept Isle of Skye for a quiet break while the banns are read. But tranquility proves elusive when the formidable Lord Blackwood, leader of a hunting party sharing their lodge, vanishes from the moors.

Sharp-eyed assistant to the Detection Club secretary, Eliza Baker, suspects foul play as the strange occurrences pile up: a mysterious grave in the churchyard, a missing rifle, and late-night excursions across the rugged island. There may be no body—yet—but someone at Dunmara Lodge is hiding a deadly secret.

As a storm cuts them off from the mainland, Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate lies, half-truths, and a treacherous landscape... but can they uncover the killer in the stalking grounds… or will the moors keep their secrets forever?