Can't Wait Wednesday: Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Last Twilight in Paris, by Pam Jenoff. It looks like an interesting mystery set just after WWII. I don't read many books set during this time period but I know it is an incredibly popular era in historical fiction. Happy reading ya'll! 

Historical Fiction/Mystery/WWII

February 4, 2025

 

Book Description courtesy of GoodReads:

A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace and a woman’s quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival, from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff

London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe —and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan—a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison, and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.

Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store and Franny’s death. But nothing is as it seems, and there are forces determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours.

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown (Lord Edgington Investigates Book Four)

 

Publication Date:

November 11, 2021

Genre:

Cozy Mystery 

Series:

Lord Edgington Investigates Book 4

Length:

243 pages

Book Description (GoodReads):

England, 1925. When Lord Edgington receives an invitation to spend the Christmas holiday with an old colleague from the police, he expects fine food, good conversation and the warmth of a roaring fire. But on arriving at Mistletoe Hall with his family, they discover the house deserted and no explanation for where their host or his servants could be. As more guests appear, the master detective begins to question what could connect the disparate group of newcomers. A teacher, a comedian, a thief, a sportsman, a singer, a policeman and a racing driver will all have their roles to play when a killer crashes the party. Cut off from the outside world by the worsening weather, and with bodies piling up, Lord Edgington must rely on his wits, his years of experience, and the help of his bumbling grandson Christopher in order to solve "The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall" .

With hints of “And Then There Were None” and “The Sittaford Mystery”, the fourth "Lord Edgington Investigates…" novel is a spoiler-free, standalone whodunit with a wicked resolution all of its own. Filled with warmth, humour, a fiendishly twisting plot, an adorable canine sidekick and plenty of Yuletide spirit, “The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall” is an Agatha-Christie-style Christmas cracker that will baffle and charm you in equal measure.

My Thoughts:

This book was a stand alone in the series and I haven't finished book one yet. So I was glad I could read this at Christmas and enjoy it without series spoilers. The covers are so pretty and are what made me stop and notice. Then having a male detective made me want to try it more because as I've said there are so few cozies with them. It's almost always women so changing it up is fun. 

Lord Edgington is a great character. He and his grandson Christopher are always stumbling upon a crime or body and working together to solve the case. In this story I especially loved the author's descriptions of the mansion they visit, the snow, the sleigh they take to ride to the front, and then combining that with the creepiness of the woods and the sense of doom. As murders occur and everyone feels unsafe and uneasy, they must try to stay calm and find out what is happening and why.

Murder at the Dolphin Hotel by Helena Dixon (Book One: A Miss Underhay Mystery)

Publication Date:

December 11, 2019

Genre:

Cozy Mysteries

Series:

Miss Underhay Mysteries

Length:

252 pages

Book Description (Good Reads)

A room with a view… to murder

June 1933. Independent young Kitty Underhay has been left in charge of her family’s hotel, The Dolphin, on the tranquil English coast. She’s expecting her days at the bustling resort to be filled with comfortable chatter with chambermaids as they polish the mahogany desks and glittering candelabras of the elegant foyer. Everything must be perfect for the arrival of a glamourous jazz singer from Chicago and a masked ball that will be the cultural highlight of the season.

But when several rooms are broken into and searched, including Kitty’s own, she quickly realises that something out of the ordinary is afoot at the hotel. Soon rumours are flying in the cozy town that someone is on the hunt for a stolen ruby. A ruby that Kitty’s mother may well have possessed when she herself went missing during the Great War. And when the break-ins are followed by a series of attacks and murders, including of the town’s former mayoress, it seems the perpetrator will stop at nothing to find it.

Aided by ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, the Dolphin’s new security officer, Kitty is determined to decipher this mystery and preserve not only the reputation of her hotel, but also the lives of her guests. Is there a cold-blooded killer under her own roof? And what connects the missing jewel to the mystery from Kitty’s own past?

My Thoughts:

This is my second time to read this book. Actually, all the way through...the first time I read about a third and stopped. I think I was just overwhelmed with other books and reviews at the time and didn't finish it. I picked it up again and am glad I did. I confess it wasn't my favorite cozy series but that is because I've read so many this year it is sometimes hard to choose. And the story lines blur together too.

Kitty is the typical independent woman of her time. She helps with the running of the Dolphin Hotel along with her beloved grandmother who is absent for much of the book, caring for her sister. Kitty is left in charge and thinks she is only preparing for guests and fancy parties. She doesn't realize she's about to embark on a sleuthing expedition for a missing ruby, her missing mother, her missing father and will have help from a dashing man, Matthew Bryant. Her grandmother has hired Matt to look after security and Kitty and Matt have immediate chemistry. As Kitty seems to be in some danger from someone who is committing thefts and then murder, Matt feels very protective of her and it becomes more than a job.

I enjoyed the banter between the two and the story line. Kitt's missing mother and the reasons behind why she is missing were the main parts that kept me intrigued. If the murders and jewels had been the only plot it wouldn't have worked as well. Also, having her father be a mysterious, shady character who appears to have gotten Kitty's mother with child and deserted them both added to the drama. The ending left open many story arcs to come so that means the series has a ways to go. 

I will likely pick up book two eventually. I seem to be in a pattern of reading book one of a series and then moving on later if I feel like it. I can't say this would be my first series choice but it wasn't bad. I just didn't find myself as bonded to the characters as some others. Also, the history parts about Matthew being in WW1 seemed very simplistic and shallow of extra tidbits found in other cozies. But I don't hold that against the author, that's not the main purpose of the story here. 

It was a good story with potential and has a lot open to continue with.

Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot Book 36) Read Christie Selection December 2024

 

Publication Date:

November 1972

Genre:

Cozy Mysteries

Series:

Hercule Poirot Book 36

Length:

240 pages

Book Description (GoodReads):

Hercule Poirot stood on the cliff-top. For here, many years earlier, there had been a tragic accident – the broken body of a woman was discovered on the rocks at the foot of the cliff. This was followed by the grisly discovery of two more bodies – a husband and wife – shot dead. But who had killed whom? Was it a suicide pact? A crime of passion? Or cold-blooded murder? Poirot delves back into a crime committed 15 years earlier and discovers that, when there is a distinct lack of physical evidence, it’s just as well that ‘old sins leave long shadows.'

This story is part of Agatha Christie’s murder in retrospect series, a collection of stories which look at a crime several years after the fact, piecing together testimonials and witness reports to finally uncover the truth. This time we see Mrs Oliver’s goddaughter, attempting to find out the truth about her deceased parents – who killed whom?

My Thoughts:

I am really enjoying the Christie stories with Mrs. Oliver. She is witty and interesting and I don't remember her in past stories I read years ago. I think she makes a great, light-hearted addition to Poirot's seriousness. Having her as a permanent Watson to his Sherlock would have been great!

This was a good one. I loved the whole back story about the two sisters and trying to decide if the husband and wife thing was a suicide or homicide. I spent time pondering if a couple in the story were related and....would that be crazy and then incest without their knowledge? It was all very intriguing. Not wanting to give away too much by naming the characters I'll just say that it crossed my mind. 

Once again, Christie spends a lot of time on the psychological side of things, Poirot, Oliver, and the main characters talking and wondering how and why things happen. I have grown to enjoy that part of her books, although at times it can get redundant and there could be a little more action. If you are wanting one of her stories where there is a lot of character development and crimes occurring this is not the one for you. We pretty much hear about the crime and that's it as everyone talks to people trying to figure out what happened.

The title is clever....as Mrs. Oliver explains she is needing to consult those "elephants" who remember facts and details from long ago, pulling up contacts she thinks might be able to provide vital information from memory.I am always wondering where Christie gets her ideas from for the titles of her books and find a lot of them to be fun. 

I am closing out my year of Read Christie and would like to post on New Year's Eve all the Christie books I've read so far. Looking forward to Read Christie 2025!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murder at the Christmas Casino by Andrea Hicks (Book 13 of the Camille Devine Murder Mysteries)

 For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring,Murder at the Christmas Casino, by Andrea Hicks. It is book 13 but since it's Christmas themed and debuts on Christmas Eve I thought that was fun. I have three books from this series purchased on Kindle and want to try them out soon. Happy reading and Merry Christmas :) I hope you've found something you can't wait to read this week. 

Historical Cozy Mysteries

December 24, 2024

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

LONDON - CHRISTMAS 1925

Camille and Richard thought they were in for a festive evening out when they were invited to a glamorous Christmas celebration at one of London's most exclusive casinos, The London Ivy Rooms. Invited by the enigmatic Lady Agnes Dunbar whom they had previously met under mysterious circumstances in Cairo, the event promises glittering lights, high-stakes gambling, and a touch of Christmas magic.

But when the holiday cheer takes a dark turn, and a dead body is discovered among the revellers, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. Lady Agnes, a government agent with a penchant for secrecy and surprises, reveals that she's been on the trail of a fraudulent betting ring operating within the casino's luxurious walls. Camille, Richard, Cecily, Elsie, and Knolly are drawn into a deadly game of deception and intrigue as the stakes rise.

With suspects lurking behind every corner and the clock ticking down to Christmas Day, the duo must navigate a world of lies, secrets, and danger to uncover the truth. Will they be able to unmask the killer and stop the fraudulent ring before it's too late? Or will this Christmas be their last?

Murder at the Christmas Casino is a thrilling festive mystery filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and the perfect dash of seasonal spirit.

Death in the Garden by Isabella Bassett (Lady Caroline Mysteries Book Two)

 

Publication Date:

August 31, 2022

Author: 

Isabella Bassett

Series:

Lady Caroline Mysteries #2

Length:

267 pages

Book Description: (goodreads):

Lake Garda, Italy, 1925

Uncle Albert, in relentless pursuit of his hobby, is off to a secluded island on Lake Garda, Italy. Guided by ancestral duty, Lady Caroline, his reluctant secretary, follows in his wake. An exclusive party has gathered to celebrate the coming out of the Queen of the Night with a midnight soiree.

But as the guests prepare to witness the exotic plant’s once-a-year bloom, Uncle Albert is discovered in the villa’s conservatory with a dead body. Worse yet, with the Queen of the Night completely destroyed.

While Lady Caroline is determined to clear her aging relation’s good name, Uncle Albert seems to dig himself further into trouble. When a second body turns up in the manicured gardens, and Uncle Albert again is the most likely culprit, Lady Caroline decides it’s time to put her scavenger hunt skills–the same ones that got her into this “secretary” mess in the first place–to good use and follow the clues to the real killer.

With a closed circle of upper-crust suspects, an elegant historic location, and a puzzling murder mystery without the gore, it’s a golden age country house whodunnit transplanted to Italy.

My Thoughts:

The first book I read in this series was Book 3 The Secret of the Scarab.  It was set in Egypt and I really enjoyed it. Uncle Albert is my favorite character in the books. He is bumbling and appears not to notice what is going on around him but he's smarter than he seems. He is always trying to win and retain the coveted prize of the Golden Platypus. He is an avid member of the Royal Society for Natural History Appreciation, along with other Lords and royal nobility. They engage in competition to find rare plants and flowers and Lady Caroline travels along as his secretary and companion. This is unusual as she is a woman and the helpmates are almost always men. One of them, James is a love interest but they seem to be at odds often about how far the relationship goes.

Cut off from the mainland, the guests are reliant on each other and as two murders occur, suspicious as well. Caroline and James discover a grotto that seems to hold clues to the mystery of the island and possibly to why people are dying. As they work to unravel things, Uncle Albert is caught in the crossfire when he is accused of murder himself and Caroline does not believe for a second he is guilty. 

She and James along with other guests await help and rescue while trying not to become victims themselves. Lady Caroline begins to realize there may even be an historical element to the murders as hints of treasure abound. She discovers clues to a way to summon help through a bit of sleuthing and trusts no one except James and her Uncle. 

This was another fun cozy from Bassett and I will be reading book 4. Her characters and plots are endearing and fun to puzzle out. I want to read the current winter themed one but would rather go in order. A great series for taking your mind off your troubles!

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 20)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, A Midwinter Murder, by Verity Bright. I am so behind in this series. I love it and this is already book 20. I want to continue reading them in order so even though I'd love to dive into this one now for the season, I'll wait. But I'm happy to promote it. Happy Reading this week. I hope you've found something you can't wait for!

Historical Cozy Mysteries

December 4, 2024

Description courtesy of GoodReads:

Winter 1924. When Lady Eleanor Swift unexpectedly finds herself a guest of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, she’s determined to enjoy Christmas with all the trimmings at his sprawling manor house. And that includes kisses under the mistletoe and cozying up by the fire with her fiancé, dashing detective Hugh Seldon.

Instead, the season of goodwill turns frosty as she finds the Duke’s studious secretary, Mr Porritt, dead in the storeroom. Clasped in his chilly hand is a golden pendant in the shape of a rose. The Duke denies ever having seen the necklace before. But Eleanor can see the lies in his eyes… Did it belong to his mysteriously absent wife?

Hugh and Eleanor must ditch relaxing with hot cocoa in favour of interviewing the Duke’s holiday guests. Every suspect has a secret they’d kill to keep: the socialite with the false name, the Sir with a questionable inheritance and the husband hiding a crack in his marriage.

As the blizzard outside rages, Auldwyke Hall becomes cut off. Trapped by the snow, Eleanor and Hugh must skate around the increasingly secretive Duke to unwrap the identity of the killer. But does the answer to the secretary’s murder lie with a ghost of Christmas past? And when an attempt is made on the Duke’s life too, they realise the killer is closer than they think…

Third Girl by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot Book 35) Read Christie Selection November 2024

 

Publication Date:

November 1966

Length:

256 pages

Book Description:

(goodreads)

Three young women share a London flat. The first is a coolly efficient secretary. The second is an artist. The third interrupts Hercule Poirot’s breakfast confessing that she is a murderer—and then promptly disappears. Slowly, Poirot learns of the rumors surrounding the mysterious third girl, her family, and her disappearance. Yet hard evidence is needed before the great detective can pronounce her guilty, innocent, or insane.

My Thoughts:

This was one of my favorite of the Hercule Poirot books so far. I liked that he was involved from the beginning (just like in the show) and remained a main character throughout. Normally he comes in during the second part after the crime is established. I also loved the mystery behind Norma and her "friends." There was a creepy vibe from the start that made it suspenseful. 

Norma was abandoned by her father when she was young and has idealized him. This makes her desperate to hang onto the image she has created in her mind. She is a fragile personality and Christie has a lot of analyzing of her mind and motives for things she does related to her childhood. I think this was common for this era of the 1960's when psychology was really getting its start in the mainstream and acceptability. This seems to be a running theme throughout a lot of her later books especially. I like this and think it is interesting how she weaves it throughout a lot of her character's thoughts. 

I also enjoyed the little rabbit trails she led me on with regards to the secondary  characters and their appearing to be sinister. Not wanting to give away any spoilers, it is clear the reader is supposed to suspect many who turn out not to be the antagonist. I say this because it is hard to review a book when you are not sure when starting out to read it whether or not an actual crime has been committed. So suffice it to say you will spend most of the book unsure what exactly has occurred because Norma is not sure either. 

When Poirot begins his investigation, he is intrigued by her inability to remember what she thinks she did and a bit protective of Norma in that he isn't so sure her thoughts match up with her actions. As he starts to delve into her past I liked the way he gives her a chance and wants to genuinely help her. He seems a little more human to me in this book and not quite as stuffy and full of himself. A refreshing change from his personality sometimes. 

Norma has a love interest, David, who may or may not be using her and because of her vulnerable nature it is easy to suspect him of ulterior motives. When Norma is nearly hit by a speeding vehicle and then disappears things turn in his direction as well. Norma's roommates (the first and second girls) are not much help either. 

This wasn't as much a typical book for Christie the way it unfolded but I really enjoyed it. It definitely kept me guessing.....both as to whether something bad had happened, why, and how. 

,

High Treason at the Grand Hotel by Kelly Oliver (Fiona Figg Mysteries Book 2)

 

Publication Date:

January 5, 2021

Length:

276 pages

Summary:

Fiona Figg is back in action, this time in Paris. In book one she disguised herself to find a killer and found she liked playing the part of a man in order to infiltrate circles she couldn't, this being 1917 and all. Tasked with watching the notorious spy, Frederick Fredricks, she goes against her war department rules to watch from a distance. Fiona once again disguises herself to get closer. Unfortunately, she also ends up accused of murder and in her bumbling, stumbling way manages to involve a whole host of others as well. 

There are also many subplots going on. She investigates another seemingly unrelated murder involving a housekeeper, befriends a mysterious, exotic German singer, Mata Hari and continues her romantic flirtation with the soldier she meets in book one. Relying on her instincts often, she manages to unmask the killers, find stolen jewels, and stay one step ahead of Fredericks. She is patient and loyal to her friend, Clifford Douglas, from the War Department who is clearly smitten with her and always there to lend a hand. The romantic feeling isn't mutual but Fiona is appreciative of his help when she is in a jam. Fiona has so many things going on in this book that it is remarkable it all comes together in the end. 

My Thoughts:

This book was complicated. Despite the look of it, it really took some concentration to keep all the characters and subplots straight. Fiona is always witty and funny and endearing but especially so this time. I was surprised at how much the author was able to pack into one story and have it come out making sense. The interaction with Fredericks is entertaining and even though he seems to stay one step ahead of her, she is able to rattle his plans often. The reader is always left a little unsure of where his loyalties lie and since I've already read a book later in the series I know this doesn't change. Perhaps the author is waiting until the end of the series to reveal who he really is and what side he is on. In this book we assume he is the big, bad German spy who is helping to blow up ships during the Great War. But one is not completely convinced. 

I will be continuing with this series as I have really grown to like these characters. There is one more and then it switches to the second set involving Fiona and Kitty, someone she meets along the way. I hope the author continues it for awhile. She also adds some history about WW 1, the setting feels authentic, and convincing. It is a great cozy mystery series!

Can't Wait Wednesday: We Three Queens by Rhys Bowen (A Royal Spyness Mystery Book 18)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm  featuring, We Three Queens by Rhys Bowen. It is part of her hugely successful cozy mystery series, Her Royal Spyness. I have only read the first two books in the series but they are witty and clever mysteries and this one is sure to be a welcome addition. I know her fans who are up to date on the books are excited. I hope you have found something you can't wait to read this week!

November 19, 2024

Historical Mysteries

 

Description courtesy of GoodReads:

New mother Lady Georgiana "Georgie" Rannoch finds herself trying to separate fact from fiction when a murder occurs while a film is being made on the grounds of her estate in a new Royal Spyness Mystery from beloved bestselling author Rhys Bowen.It's late 1936, and King Edward is in turmoil, having fallen in love with the scandalously divorced and even more scandalously American Wallis Simpson. He wants to marry her but knows that doing so will jeopardize his crown. Edward confides in his dear friend Darcy, Georgie's husband, and the couple agree to hide Wallis in their home while Edward figures out what to do. But unbeknownst to Georgie and Darcy, Sir Hubert, the owner of the estate, has given a film crew permission to shoot a motion picture about Henry the Eighth and Anne Boleyn on the grounds. Trying to keep Mrs. Simpson hidden while raising a newborn baby seems like it couldn't be any more stressful for the Rannochs, until one of the stars of the film is found murdered on set. Georgie must solve the murder for king and country before scandal threatens to envelop them all.

Mystery In Provence by Vivian Conroy (Miss Ashford Investigates Book One)

 

Publication Date:

October 7, 2022

Length:

314 pages 

Summary:

This series takes place in different countries and locations. That is a draw for me in cozy mysteries. I wasn't exactly sure where Provence was but researched a bit and found it to be an interesting location in the heart of France. When the story begins, it is June of 1930 and Miss Atalanta Ashford has just finished a job teaching at a boarding school in Switzerland. She is shocked when she receives news that she has become independently wealthy due to the death of her grandfather and the inheritance she has been given. 

Never having known him, she is even more surprised and overwhelmed. There's one catch though....she may have a beautiful new home in Paris and lots of money but she also is asked to clandestinely continue the secret life of sleuthing that her grandfather conducted without most people's knowledge. He trusts Atalanta to be worthy of this because he has been checking up on her life and her character and feels she shares a lot of his qualities in this area. Atalanta is willing to try although she isn't sure how to begin. A case has fallen to her already when she is asked to investigate the behavior of a young woman's fiance, the Comte de Surmonne. The lady, Eugenie Frontenac is desperate to make sure the man she is marrying isn't a murderer of his first wife. She wants Atalanta to come to their estate in Provence, posing as a lady's maid of sorts during the week of the planned wedding, and find out the truth. 

The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple Mysteries Book 9) Read Christie October 2024 Selection

 

Publication Date:

November 12, 1962

Length:

256 pages 

Summary:

Marina Gregg, a famous American actress has purchased and moved into Gossington Hall estate in St. Mary Mead, Miss Marple's village. Gregg and her husband Jason Rudd hope to settle down and have a quiet life there when not pursuing acting projects. The town is abuzz with the news and when Marina holds a party to raise money for a good cause everyone wants to be there. With a few close friends and neighbors the evening looks to be a success until a guest is murdered, poisoned with a drink handed to her by Marina. 

It becomes unclear whether Heather or Marina was the intended victim. As more clues emerge, Miss Marple isn't so sure either. Heather Badcock, the deceased, was seen talking to Marina right before her death, although at the time no one knows what was said. It was however, reported that Marina had a strange, stricken look upon her face as Heather talked into her ear.  

Betrayal at Ravenswick by Kelly Oliver (Fiona Figg Mystery Book One)

Publication Date:

March 10, 2020

Length:

 208 pages

Summary:

I jumped into this series out of order because I wanted to read the one set in Cairo. It was book three so when I finished it, I wanted to go back to see how the original plot and character development unfolded. This book one is part of a series with just the main character, Fiona Figg and later she is joined in the second series by her sidekick, Kitty. Covert in Cairo was the one I read as part of series two. 

Fiona Figg's cheating husband has forced her to strike out on her own. Set during World War I, she and her spouse have been apart and when she realizes he has taken up with another woman she decides to throw herself into the war effort as a spy for British Intelligence. She is asked to go undercover, posing as a male doctor, to Ravenswick Abbey estate, with the hopes of exposing a suspected traitor, one Fredrick Fredricks. When she finally meets the notorious South African hunter, she is not impressed and thinks he is full of himself and a first rate snob. Not sure whether he is an actual traitor on the side of the Germans though, she treads lightly, trying to keep up her disguise while befriending one of the ladies there, Mary, who takes a bit too much interest in Fiona, thinking of course, she is a man.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Last Dance in Salzburg by Vivian Conroy (Miss Ashford Investigates Book Four)

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm  featuring, Last Dance in Salzburg, by Vivian Conroy. I am reading book one of this series right now and loving it. This is her new one coming out in November. So far it is a series I am interested in continuing with so I'm sure this one will be good too. Hope you've found something you can't wait for this week. Happy Reading ya'll!

November 8, 2024

Cozy Mysteries/Historical Mysteries

Description courtesy of Amazon

November 1930.

After accepting an invitation to attend the ballet in snowy Salzburg, Miss Atalanta Ashford is shocked when a convicted jewel thief is found dead in the concert hall where the theft occurred a decade ago.

Did he return to the scene of the crime because he wanted to prove his innocence? Is the real culprit among the high-society guests? In her quest for the truth, Atalanta uncovers dangerous secrets about the European elite that put her own life in mortal danger…

The smell of Glühwein and spiced Lebkuchen from the Austrian winter markets fill the air, but for Atalanta there’s an intriguing puzzle to be solved in this cosy historical mystery for 2024.

Valley of the Kings: A Novel of Tutankhamun by Cecelia Holland

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1978

Length:

231 pages

Summary:

I have heard about Holland's books for years and finally have read one. I love all things Egypt, pyramids, etc. so this was the place to start. Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon's unearthing of King Tut's tomb in 1922 is a fascinating story and I have read Holland stays true to history when writing her historical fiction. That is a must for me as I read these kinds of novels.

I know there are already many reviews for this book over the years. It is interesting that you don't know going in the book is divided into two parts: Howard Carter's story and King Tut's time period story. The first half details Carter's search for the tomb. Carter is an experienced archaeologist drawn to Egypt and its history and the search for the elusive tomb of King Tut. His frustration with the Egyptian government's slow pace and bureaucracy in allowing for the digs he wishes to conduct, not to mention the lack of funding leads to constant frustration. He teams up with a British aristocrat, Lord Carnarvon who shares an interest, although he is not obsessed to the degree Carter is. But willing to finance Carter's dream and work alongside him is enough to make the reality come true. Carter accepts the assistance and dodging local government regulations and resistance he doggedly pursues the tomb. 

The Pyramid Murders by Fiona Veitch Smith (The Miss Clara Vale Mysteries Book Three)

 

Publication Date:

June 13, 2024

Length:

293 pages

Summary:

This was the first book in the series that I have read. I skipped to book three because I liked the premise and location. It worked as a stand alone just fine, although starting at the beginning is usually better I agree. 

Clara Vale is an independent woman for 1930. She studied chemistry but began working as a detective of sorts which is unusual for women in her time. She attends a party at the Hancock Museum's opening exhibit of Egyptian artifacts and her good friend Daphne is counting on her support as it is her job to display and present the show. When the mummy inside the grand display sarcophagus turns out to be a fake, obviously replaced and the real mummy stolen, everyone is shocked and wonders where the real mummy might be. Clara wants to help, knowing her friend's reputation is on the line as well as wanting to catch the person who committed this theft. 

As she begins to investigate further, Clara finds that the mummy in the case is a person who has not been dead long. And she starts to suspect this is connected with a secret society and artifact smuggling ring. Traveling many miles across England and eventually led to Cairo in her search, Clara plays detective and walks a line between trying to find out the identify of the corpse without alerting the murderer and thieves. She is joined in her search by dashing men and her sidekick Bella who keeps her secrets well and is always there for her support and sleuthing. 

The French For Murder by Verity Bright (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 10)

 

Publication Date: 

May 30, 2022

Length:

302 pages

Summary:

Lady Eleanor, her butler Clifford, and her beloved bulldog Gladstone are all set to enjoy their villa in the south of France. As usual, Clifford sets out to make it as comfortable as their English estate, Henley Hall. As he is working in the wine cellar, he discovers the body of Rex Armstrong, an American movie star shooting a film in the nearby area. He has been stabbed and inexplicably left in the villa. The police are sure Clifford is guilty. After all, he "found" the body and he isn't French, so they are naturally suspicious of him as an outsider. When he is arrested, Eleanor is frantic to clear his name. But since Clifford is always the one helping her out of sticky situations, she is hard pressed to know just wnat to do this time. 

Ordeal By Innocence by Agatha Christie (Read Christie 2024 September Selection)

 

Publication Date:

November 3, 1958

Length:

256 pages

Summary:

I have had a hard time keeping up with Read Christie this summer. So despite my post from two years ago about not liking audiobooks I'm fast changing my mind! I listened to this one. And it was a great break from reading in that the narration by Hugh Fraser from Poirot made it a lot of fun. I have missed out on reading the March, July, and August selections so it was nice to get back to my commitment of reading them each month.

Dr. Arthur Calgary is an explorer who has been away for some time in Antarctica. When he discovers he is the sole alibi for a man named Jacko Argyle in a murder conviction, he realizes he must contact the man's family and clear his name. Jacko was accused of murdering his adoptive, overbearing mother, Rachel Argyle. Unfortunately, when Dr. Calgary arrives at the family home, they are not receptive to his good news. It seems Jacko was convicted and died in prison, seemingly guilty of the crime. And the family feels that everyone should leave well enough alone. Jacko was not beloved by them, always in trouble, and causing mischief. No one seems to care if he was innocent of this particular crime as he was the cause of so much strife in their lives anyway. They also realize that if Jacko was innocent, then one of them might be the guilty party. And that is another burden no one wants to deal with.

But Dr. Calgary is not so sure the "leave well enough alone" scenario is acceptable. He feels a duty to get to the bottom of the question: If Jacko didn't murder the mother, then who did? And why? And so he sets out to discover motive, opportunity, and the reason behind it all. He meets resistance at every turn from the children and father and knows he is treading in dangerous territory.