The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot Book #37)

Publication Date:

October 24, 1960

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

65 pages

Series:

Hercule Poirot

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

In Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding,” Poirot is asked to attend a Christmas celebration in order to apprehend a jewel-thief who has taken advantage of an unwary eastern prince. Full of English holiday tradition and plenty of intrigue, this holiday tale first appeared in the December 12, 1923 issue of The Sketch magazine.

My Thoughts

Halfway through this short story I realized I knew it sounded familiar! I'd seen the TV episode on Prime on Poirot. It was a nice quick read for Christmas week and I hadn't intended to do so but it was free with my Kindle points. 

Poirot is his usual confident self as he tries to figure out what has happened to a large ruby lost by a Prince eager to show off to a pretty girl. Staying at the country house where the thief is suspected to be proves to be a fun holiday time for him via the hospitality of the hosts, oblivious as to why he's really there. 

I enjoyed reading it rather than watching it this time but also was impressed at how the show really stuck to the book's details. It's not creepy or scary in any way, light hearted but with a "murder" occurring halfway through that he has to solve. The ruby mystery is all linked as Christie always does well. The characters involve a lot of younger people who are vying to be cool and hip and jokesters. They can't get anything over on Poirot though. 

Descriptions of the Christmas festivities and food, especially the plum pudding really sets the tone for an authentic English Christmas and being American I was loving reading about the little presents in the pudding. A wonderful addition to read right before the big day. 

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

A Christmas Vanishing by Anne Perry (The Christmas Stories Book 21)

 

Publication Date:

November 7, 2023

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

190 pages

Series:

The Christmas Stories

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Charlotte Pitt’s clever grandmother investigates the sudden disappearance of her dear friend in this chilling holiday whodunit by New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.

Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, accepts her longtime friend Sadie’s gracious invitation to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Barton, in their picturesque village. But upon arrival, Mariah discovers that Sadie has vanished without a trace, and Barton rudely rescinds the invitation. Once Mariah finds another acquaintance to stay with during the holiday season, she begins investigating Sadie’s disappearance.

Mariah’s uncanny knack for solving mysteries serves her well during her search, which is driven by gossip as icy as the December weather. Did Sadie run off with another man? Was she kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? Frustratingly, Mariah’s questions reveal more about the villagers themselves than about her friend’s whereabouts. Yet in the process of getting to know Sadie’s neighbors, Mariah finds a kind of redemption, as she rediscovers her kinder side, and her ability to love. 

It is up to Mariah to master her own feelings, drown out the noise, and get to the bottom of what occurred, all before Christmas day. With the holiday rapidly approaching, will she succeed in bringing Sadie home in time for them to celebrate it together—or is that too much to hope for?

My Thoughts

Sadly, this was the last Anne Perry Christmas story and I am bummed. I really love these during the holidays and she passed away in 2023. It was a nice one to end the series with though. 

I've always liked the characters in the Pitt novels and even though Mariah is often cranky and stuffy, I always felt she had a heart in there somewhere. This book shows her soft side and by the end of it, you come to like and admire her. She doggedly pursues her missing friend, Sadie, even as clues begin to pile up showing Sadie might have a darker side to her. Her heart seems to thaw throughout the story towards others and she opens up to the possibility of true love, which she did not have in her marriage. Because of her background, she is able to have compassion for others as she looks for what has happened to her friend.

The mystery part was original, one of the reasons I love Perry books, but not terribly detailed. As it unfolded, I realized this book was more about Mariah than Sadie. The disappearance seemed like a secondary story in a way, but it was still done well to keep you wanting to know the how and why behind it. Some of the Christmas stories were a little dark for me for the holiday season, but not this one. It was a nice change, although if it were a Pitt or Monk novel I'd probably want it to be a little edgier like her usual writing. 

If you'd like a heartwarming mystery for the holidays with redemption at the end this is a great story for next week. It is a wonderful book to make you think and also put you in the Christmas spirit.

Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown (A Marius Quin Mystery Book One)

 

Publication Date:

November 3, 2023

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

320 pages

Series

Marius Quin

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

A mystery novelist with writer’s block, a lavish party to ring in the new year, and a film star with three bullets through his head…

December 1927. Mystery writer Marius Quin has one previous bestseller, endless looming mortgage payments, and no idea how to write his next book. When his childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague invites him to an intimate New Year’s Eve party hosted by a narcissistic actor, Marius seizes upon the distraction. With his perpetually glum Basset hound along for the ride, he navigates the snowy lanes to the opulent estate of Everham Hall. As the celebrations begin, fireworks light up the sky, champagne corks pop, and then the host is murdered.

Snowed in and with the police unable to reach them, Marius is the closest thing the panicked party has to a detective and he is swiftly nominated to find the killer. But when two more guests are attacked, Marius soon realises that solving mysteries is even harder than writing them. With Bella at his side, and a clutch of conniving suspects to choose from, can Marius find the culprit before the killer targets him?

My Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to start this series for awhile now, having enjoyed his Lord Edgington one. This one centers around Marius, a writer who is still in love with his childhood friend, Bella. 

On New Year’s Eve he is invited to a lavish gathering at a famous celebrity estate where Bella will also be in attendance and when they get caught up in the murder of the host they find they make an excellent sleuthing team. 

Marius already writes detective crime novels so interviewing the many eccentric guests is exciting for him and he’s very good at it. As he and Bella dig into the many odd relationships between the deceased and his friends and family, he must also deal with Bella’s current boyfriend, Gilbert, whom Marius can’t stand of course. 

As more attempted murder occurs and past histories begin to look ugly, they are worried they could be next. The solution was clever and does not go where you think it will. It involves people and events that aren't visible until the end which I always love in cozy mysteries. There are also a couple of really well planned red herrings to throw you off a bit.

I thought this was a great start to a solid series. I liked the main characters a lot and care enough to continue. I see that Marius and Bella will be working together to solve more crimes and so it should be a lot of fun. This author does a great job of establishing the setting and has got the cozy winter, castle thing down. I will be continuing with these for sure.

It's probably best read now during the holiday/New Year's season to get the most enjoyment out of it!

Murder in An Irish Castle by Verity Bright (Lady Eleanor Swift Book Twelve)

 

Publication Date:

November 28, 2022

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

320 pages

Series: 

Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Irish whiskey, rolling green hills, a traditional Christmas feast and… a murder? Lady Swift will need the luck of the Irish to survive this holiday season!

Christmas, 1924. Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather unexpected invitation to the village Christmas party in the tiny, rural hamlet of Derrydee in the west of Ireland. Eleanor is thrilled about exploring her ancestral roots at her late uncle’s estate and spending the festive season in a castle. Packing Gladstone the bulldog’s coziest Christmas jumper, they set off to the Emerald Isle with her butler Clifford in tow.

Arriving late at night, Eleanor and Clifford are shocked when they find a body sprawled in the snow on the winding country lane outside the estate. The local constable is immediately suspicious and all but accuses the pair of murder. This isn’t the warm Irish welcome Eleanor imagined.

Clifford is certain he recognises the poor fellow from the funeral of Eleanor’s uncle – but what was their connection? Undeterred by the villagers’ lack of gossip on the matter, Eleanor is determined to get justice for the victim. The man’s pockets are suspiciously empty of personal effects, but closer inspection reveals an old key hidden in the heel of his boot. Could this unlock more than one mystery for Eleanor?

But when a fire breaks out at the castle on Christmas Eve, an even bigger question looms: is someone out to ensure the family line dies with Lady Swift? And will Eleanor’s first Irish Christmas be her last?

My Thoughts:

This was a perfect November/December book to get me into the Christmas spirit. The descriptions of the Irish castles and surroundings, traditional food, and the local, quirky townspeople all made it feel authentic and I appreciated the author's research and interesting details. 

Eleanor, Clifford, and the dog, Gladstone really had a baffling mysyery to solve in this story. From the minute they find the nearly dead man in the road it seems no one wants them involved in questioning anything much less investigating suspicious clues. Of course this doesn’t stop them and after taking the man to a local convent and witnessing odd behavior by the nun and doctor there, they feel obligated to find out why. 

They Came To Baghdad by Agatha Christie

 

Publication Date:

March 5, 1951

Genre:  

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

368 pages

Series:  None

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

She fell head over heels for the charming young man one afternoon. And by nightfall, Victoria Jones had conspired to follow him to Baghdad.

But no daydream of love could match the real life adventure that unfolded: a stranger was stabbed in her bed, someone issued a hushed warning, and her rival for Edward's affections neatly arranged her kidnapping. From the steamy Arab marketplace to the vast and arid desert, Victoria was pursued by an unknown power that threatened not only her, but the fate of the entire world.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this one! It was more of a thriller/spy book and it didn't feel like a true Christie mystery. But it was fast paced and the main character, Victoria, was fantastic. She had spirit, was both funny and sometimes naive and I was sad to say goodbye to her. When it was over I was wishing she was a recurring character in other books but I don't think so.

The setting was also well described and I appreciated the local characters and the way Christie described some of their ways, how they thought and behaved differently from Western culture. 

The first half of the book unfolds with her just getting to Baghdad and the why behind her visit. I really did see through some of the red herrings early on and in the second half quickly figured out who the main villains were. But it didn't matter because I was loving seeing the story of Victoria's kidnapping and realization that she is part of a much larger world plot. She just keeps plugging along and doesn't lose her wits despite being faced with so much danger.

I thought reading this that Christie nailed some true sentiments not as likely to be discussed in her time, especially by the non-political person. She talks about people who think they are smarter than everyone else and have the right to direct their lives for their own good. And how that is the worst kind of evil. She says they have lost all brotherhood and humanity. Great observation.

I wish she'd written a few more like this one. The Tommy and Tuppence mysteries are probably the closest to them and I really like those. If you like spy type mysteries you will love They Came To Baghdad.

Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie (Read Christie November 2025 Selection) Hercule Poirot Book 36

 

Publication Date:

November 2, 1959

Genre:  

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

352 pages

Series: 

Hercule Poirot

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Late one night, two teachers investigate a mysterious light in the school Sports Pavilion. Among the tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks, they find the body of the unpopular games mistress – shot through the heart. Schoolgirl Julia Upjohn knows too much, and begins to worry that she might be the next victim. Can detective Hercule Poirot find the killer before the ‘cat’ strikes again?

My Thoughts:

I was intrigued by the title of this book before I even started reading it. It sounded sinister and a good title for a mystery. The first part concerns a fictional Middle Eastern city, Ramut, in which there is a revolution going on. Two men end up dying in a plane crash and one of them decides to hide a stash of gems in a place only very few would know to look. It makes for a cliffhanger beginning and I definitely wanted to continue. I like novels and mysteries that make you a bit confused in the beginning as then there's much to figure out as you go.

The story then shifts to three months later at an English boarding school where we become involved in the day to day lives of student Jennifer and her friend Julia, as well as the staff. There are a vast array of characters so I won't list them all but I did have to work hard to keep everyone straight. This was complicated at times.

Murder Among the Pyramids by Sara Rosett (Lady Traveler in Egypt Book One)

 

Publication Date:

October 16, 2024

Genre:  

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

316 pages

Series: 

Lady Traveler in Egypt 

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Escape on an Egyptian excursion to the land of the Pyramids.
Tour highlights include Hieroglyphics and high tea in the desert, followed by murder after sunset.

It’s 1924 and Blix Windway has made a career out of her wanderlust, giving lectures to ladies’ groups about everything from the flora of the American desert to the beauty of the Swiss Alps, but she needs new material for her talks.

She strikes what seems to be an ideal agreement with an eccentric older lady. Blix will be her travel companion during a journey to Egypt, helping to smooth the way through customs and coordinate sightseeing tours. The arrangement will provide Blix with the perfect opportunity to photograph the pyramids and gather material for her next lecture series.

But they’ve barely left England before the trouble begins; rough seas and an attempted robbery. Then a murder occurs during a tour of the pyramids.

Despite the attempts of the British officials to sweep the death under the rug, Blix becomes increasingly convinced that one of their tour party is a murderer.

Blix’s search for the truth takes her from the posh sporting clubs and lavish gardens of Cairo to the narrow, twisting lanes of the city’s centuries-old bazaar and the vast desert around the Giza Plateau. Can Blix unearth the truth before the killer makes this journey her last?

Join Blix on this classic murder mystery from Sara Rosett, author of the beloved High Society Lady Detective series.

My Thoughts:

I had not read any Sara Rosett books before this one but have several of her samples in my Kindle. This one was available on Libby. It was cute. Very similar to some Agatha Christie type books and the author says Elizabeth Peters was an inspiration for the Egyptian setting.

The main character, Blix is smart and resourceful and brave in her quest to find the killer of one of the tourists she is involved with, Vita Duncan.  With her travel companion and the woman funding her vacation, Hildy Honeyworth, and others, she works the clues including a mysterious package she was asked to deliver to someone in Egypt. 

Virgins by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander 0.5)

 

Publication Date:

December 3, 2013

Genre:  

Historical Fiction

Length:   

 86 pages

Series: Outlander 

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

A young Jamie Fraser learns what it really means to become a man in this Outlander prequel novella. Featuring all the trademark suspense, adventure, and history of Diana Gabaldon’s #1 bestselling novels and the Starz original series, Virgins is now available for the first time as a standalone ebook.
 
Mourning the death of his father and gravely injured at the hands of the English, Jamie Fraser finds himself running with a band of mercenaries in the French countryside, where he reconnects with his old friend Ian Murray. Both are nursing wounds; both have good reason to stay out of Scotland; and both are still virgins, despite several opportunities to remedy that deplorable situation with ladies of easy virtue. 

But Jamie’s love life becomes infinitely more complicated, and dangerous, when fate brings the young men into the service of Dr. Hasdi, a Jewish gentleman who hires them to escort two priceless treasures to Paris. One is an old Torah; the other is the doctor’s beautiful daughter, Rebekah, destined for an arranged marriage. Both Jamie and Ian are instantly drawn to the bride-to-be, but they might be more cautious if they had any idea who they’re truly dealing with.

My Thoughts

I read Virgins years ago. But never reviewed it because it was long before I had my blog! It has always been a goal of mine to review all the books from favorite authors that I've read in the past. So a re-read was in order for this one. It is a novella, short and easily read when I'm busy. While not my favorite of her stories, it grew on me over time as I wanted to know more about the back story of Jamie and Ian.

The main story is not terribly relevant. Jamie is recovering from wounds inflicted on him back in Scotland and grieving the death of his beloved Father. Ian is working in France with dangerous mercenaries and Jamie decides to join him. The story follows their reconnection, and involvement with the devious Rebekah and throughout we are privy to things about Jamie that we might not have discovered in the main Outlander book. There are many thoughtful conversations to be read between him and Ian and I liked learning more about the relationship between them. It showcases their youth and innocence and feels like a great way to see them both before life hardens them.

The immediate story involving the Jewish man and his daughter is quick and not necessary to further Outlander plot lines. But as someone who loves mystery and intrigue I thought it was engaging enough to want to figure out what was happening. Gabaldon is such a great writer that she can turn 86 pages into something thoughtful and suspenseful with ease. 

I liked Virgins much better the second time around. Having invested more time and thought into the characters made it more personal. If you are a fan of the series get the novellas and read them as stand alone books. They will give you more insight into the people she's created. 

Bethlehem Road by Anne Perry (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Book Ten)

 

Publication Date:

June 1, 1990

Genre:  

Historical Mysteries

Length:   

 313 pages

Series: 

Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The gentleman tied to the lamppost on Westminster Bridge is most elegantly attired --- fresh boutonniere, silk hat, white evening scarf --- and he is quite, quite dead, as a result of his thoroughly cut throat.

Why should anyone kill Sir Lockwood Hamilton, that kindest of family men and most conscientious member of Parliament? Before Inspector Thomas Pitt can even speculate on the reasons, a colleague of Sir Lockwood's meets the same fate in the same spot.

Public indignation is boundless, and clever Charlotte Pitt, Thomas's well-born wife, can't resist helping her hard-pressed husband, scouting society's drawing rooms for clues to these appalling crimes. Meanwhile, the Westminster Bridge Cutthroat stalks still another victim ...

My Thoughts

I have gotten to know the main characters in this series well over the years. There are a lot of books in the Pitt series (32!) and so I always remain behind. But when I start a new book it is like being with old friends. I was excited to check in and see what the Pitts are up to.

The London community is living in fear. Prominent members of Parliament are being attacked and it is not as easy to shrug off this time as it is when the poor people who live in the shadows are normally the victims of brutal crimes. No, these are wealthy, powerful men, found with their throats slit and hanging from a bridge used by all classes of citizens. 

Mayhem in the Mountains by Kelly Oliver (Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Book 3)

 

Publication Date:

August 15, 2023

Genre:  

Cozy Mysteries/Historical Mysteries

Length:   

 298 pages

Series: 

Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

1918 Italy

When a deadly blizzard traps Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane in the Dolomite Mountains, it's all downhill from here.

Their hotel is snowed-in, and no one can get in or out. Then a man is found dead in his locked hotel room - and the killer is still on the premises. But with no murder weapon and too many suspects, their investigation is treading on thin ice.

The colder it gets outside, the hotter it gets inside as Fiona squares off with both her beloved Archie and her nemesis Fredricks. With her love-life on a slippery-slope, Fiona risks everything in one bold move...

As fast and twisty as a downhill slalom, this slick new cozy from Kelly Oliver will have you melting into a puddle of laughter.

Snap in and enjoy the ride.

My Thoughts

The covers for these books are absolutely gorgeous. If nothing else, I started reading them for that reason alone. I still find this funny.....that a pretty cover can draw me in. I am a history buff and love serious books all day too, so it is funny to find as a grown adult that cozy mysteries and pretty artwork can make me drop everything and read them. But here we are, lol!

While this is listed as Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Book 3 it is actually Book 6 for me in the series because the first three books are just with Fiona Figg as the main character. I do like the addition of Kitty, who seems to be a shrinking violet on the surface yet underneath is a trained operative well able to fend for herself. The relationship between the two women is amusing as a side plot because Kitty and Fiona are not that far apart in age yet Kitty is always pretending to be so much younger and it grates on Fiona's nerves. So I like the added bonus...plus Kitty's dog, Poppy is a cute addition.

At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple Book 10) Read Christie Selection September 2025

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1965

Genre:  

Cozy Mysteries/Historical Mysteries

Length:   

 223 pages

Series: 

Miss Marple

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

This old-fashioned London hotel may not be quite as reputable as it makes out! When Miss Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she's looking for at Bertram's: traditional décor and impeccable service. But she senses an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric hotel guest makes his way to the airport one day late.

My Thoughts

I thought it was a bit of a stretch to call this a Miss Marple mystery. She is not in the story very much and her usual expertise in solving the mystery is not in depth. Rather, I think she is there more to be the one who slowly realizes the hotel is not old world charming but rather sinister and jaded. In that respect, her character shines through. But she is not in the novel enough to be as memorable as the other Marple mysteries I've read. 

Bertram's Hotel is pitched as an old style, full service hotel that aims to please its patrons by being a classic London lodging of old. Everyone assumes there is nothing going on but the usual. As the story unfolds we get glimpses of things not being quite right. Shady dealings and train robberies add to the confusion and make the story suspenseful and exciting. The seeming disappearance of a hotel guest and their fate are unexpected and add a lot to the drama; I didn't guess what was actually happening to him at all!

Most of the time we hear from the detectives on the case. Their thoughts, interviews, etc. This felt more like a Hercule Poirot type of story in that respect. It was enjoyable and I came to like the character of Inspector Davy, even though he didn't spend a lot of time with Miss Marple.

The story was unique and worth reading even though I wished we'd seen more of her. Unlike other Christie novels, this one didn't focus as much on murder as it did other crimes but that was a nice change. This one definitely stands out as a departure from her typical mysteries. 

Murder On a Scottish Island by Lydia Travers (Lady Poppy Proudfoot Book Two)

 

Publication Date:

September 8, 2025

Genre:  

Cozy Mysteries/Historical Mysteries

Length:   

 364 pages

Series: 

Lady Poppy Proudfoot 

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

A dead body and a missing sapphire pendant? Lady Poppy Proudfoot is on the case!

Scotland, 1924: When Lady Poppy Proudfoot is invited to her friend’s hotel on the Isle of Skye, she is looking forward to a holiday. But all thoughts of relaxing vanish when she discovers the body of a strangled woman in a church.

The police believe the widow’s death was a robbery gone wrong, as a pendant was stolen from the scene. But Poppy is sure it’s murder. Ignoring the police’s warnings to keep her nose out, she enlists her friend Inspector MacKenzie, and her loyal Labrador, Major, to unpick the case.

Poppy suspects one of the hotel’s guests knows more about the murder than they are willing to admit. Could it be Miss Buccleugh, the avid button collector? Or the travelling guru, who conveniently disappeared just after the murder? Or was it Mr Henderson, so desperate for money he was driven to murder?

When Poppy sees the victim’s sapphire pendant on the neck of another guest, she is convinced the killer is targeting widows in the hotel, and luring them in with jewellery. But to prove her theory, she will have to offer herself up as bait. It’s risky, but her only way of catching the killer… Can Poppy con a con-man, and make it out alive? Or will she be the next wealthy widow on the killer’s list?

My Thoughts

I read book one and this one is an ARC from NetGalley. I like getting in on a new series and reading in order so I wanted to read this one before it came out and review it. It is a cute cozy and continues the story of the characters from book one, Lady Poppy and her love interest, Inspector MacKenzie. Poppy thinks she is going to just have a lovely, relaxing time in Scotland on the Isle of Skye but of course she gets tangled up in another murder mystery. This time it is one of the hotel's long standing guests who seemingly has no past to warrant anyone harming her. When Poppy finds her body she is determined to get to the bottom of things.

The plot is not terribly intricate or detailed but the author does the usual job of creating eccentric characters who seem shady and maybe probable suspects. Lady Poppy pokes her nose where it doesn't belong and MacKenzie chides her involvement. As she delves deeper into the mystery she wonders if she is being targeted as well as she is a widow and it seems the killer is preying on them in particular. Along with her dog, Major she investigates while putting herself in danger sometimes. Her status allows her into places and situations she might not normally go without the title of "Lady." 

In order to create a sense of time and place, the author adds some touches that speak to the 1920's. I liked learning the historical facts she inserted although sometimes in these cozies it feels a bit forced....like they are adding it just to prove the book is historical and not modern day. That is my only complaint that authors of these mysteries could work on. Making the time and place flow a bit better. But the things discussed like fashion etc. were definitely interesting.

I enjoyed this cute cozy and it was easy to read when exhausted from the start of school. I will continue with the series as it evolves. 

Victoria Victorious: The Story of Queen Victoria by Jean Plaidy (Queens of England Book 3)

 

Publication Date:

January 1972-1976 (Individual books)

Condensed paperback: May 2005

Genre:  

Historical Fiction/Adventure

Length:   

560 pages

Series: 

Queens of England

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

In this unforgettable novel of Queen Victoria, Jean Plaidy re-creates a remarkable life filled with romance, triumph, and tragedy.

At birth, Princess Victoria was fourth in line for the throne of England, the often-overlooked daughter of a prince who died shortly after her birth. She and her mother lived in genteel poverty for most of her childhood, exiled from court because of her mother’s dislike of her uncles, George IV and William IV. A strong, willful child, Victoria was determined not to be stifled by her powerful uncles or her unpopular, controlling mother. Then one morning, at the age of eighteen, Princess Victoria awoke to the news of her uncle William’s death. The almost-forgotten princess was now Queen of England. Even better, she was finally free of her mother’s iron hand and her uncles’ manipulations. Her first act as queen was to demand that she be given a room—and a bed—of her own.

Victoria’s marriage to her German cousin, Prince Albert, was a blissfully happy one that produced nine children. Albert was her constant companion and one of her most trusted advisors. Victoria’s grief after Prince Albert’s untimely death was so shattering that for the rest of her life—nearly forty years—she dressed only in black. She survived several assassination attempts, and during her reign England’s empire expanded around the globe until it touched every continent in the world.

Derided as a mere “girl queen” at her coronation, by the end of her sixty-four-year reign, Victoria embodied the glory of the British Empire. In this novel, written as a “memoir” by Victoria herself, she emerges as truthful, sentimental, and essentially human—both a lovable woman and a great queen.

My Thoughts

I read this series of books in my early twenties and later a publisher decided to take all the individual books Plaidy had written about Queen Victoria and condense them into one trade paperback. The dates on the books run from the early 70's and of course Plaidy was not alive to see this paperback published. It is in my opinion one of the best versions of her books and wonderful for anyone who loves learning about Queen Victoria, especially without the tediousness of a straight history book read. This one and the one about Queen Elizabeth I are probably my favorite so far of all her books. I am trying to read all of her books eventually,  but this one just had to be re-read. When school starts and I'm super busy and tired I love to pick up books I've loved and can read again.

The Goodreads summary tells you all you need to know about the book, but I will add my two cents worth! This book follows historical accuracy in great detail (I have read soooo much about her so I can usually spot something that seems embellished) and her personal interactions with her husband, children, grandchildren, Prime Ministers, and relatives. I love how it is written like a diary and we really get to know her through her personal point of view. The early years were especially interesting to me, seeing how her Mother and others used her and controlled her until she came of age and bravely shut them out immediately. It must have taken a lot of courage at only eighteen years old to do this. A lot of material on her starts with her reign and so I appreciated how we get to see it all from her childhood on. 

Plaidy does not paint her as a saint, she is very human, with faults we all have: selfishness, self-pitying sometimes, and needy. But we also come away amazed at her ability to lead from a young age on, and although extremely devoted to Albert, she did push back when necessary.

The book reads like a novel and I feel is wonderful for someone who knows absolutely nothing about her all the way to those of us who can practically recite her life story. You will get caught up in it and be unable to put it down. 

Crouchback: The Welsh Guard Mysteries, Volume 1 by Sarah Woodbury

 

Publication Date:

November 14, 2019

Genre:  

Historical Fiction/Adventure

Length:   

331 pages 

Series: The Welsh Guard Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

April 1284. As a newly widowed lady-in-waiting to the very pregnant Queen Eleanor of England, Catrin never expected to return to Wales again. She was definitely unprepared to be confronted with murder when she got there--or to find herself face-to-face with Rhys, the childhood friend she lost twenty years before. Rhys had never intended to return home either, but a lifetime of war has deposited him right back where he started--impoverished and owing service to Catrin's older brother.

With Wales having fallen irrevocably to England, and fearful of trusting anyone within the English court of King Edward, Catrin and Rhys join forces against the treachery and intrigue rife within the half-built Caernarfon Castle. And when the murderer strikes again, the task before them becomes increasingly clear: catch the killer, certainly, but also protect their people from a future that is becoming more dangerous and uncertain with every day that passes.
Crouchback is the first book in The Welsh Guard Mysteries.

My Thoughts

I've had this book in my Kindle for awhile and just forgot. I have so many mysteries it just got overlooked. But when I went back and read the description it sounded interesting and original, and I love all things with Wales as the setting. The characters also being placed during the reign of Edward ! made it especially appealing to me. I'm trying to learn more about this time period already.

The mystery is well veiled and is a good story. So is the history the author weaves into the book. I learned a lot about how the Welsh must have felt having been conquered and subdued by King Edward at this point. Rhys and Catrin being a part of both worlds was a good way to let the reader in on the authentic conflict going on at the time: bow to reality and practicality to stay alive and acknowledge England as the ruling force or fight back and end up in misery and fear but with your conscience intact concerning your loyalty to your homeland. This is the running theme throughout the story as the pair seek to find out who is killing and leaving mysterious signs of a possible cult on the bodies or somewhere nearby. I also learned the true meaning of "Crouchback." This is the symbol for someone who has been on Crusade.

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

 

Publication Date:

November 24, 2009

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Adventure

Length:   312 pages 

Series: Standalone book

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Jamaica in 1665 is a rough outpost of the English crown, a minor colony holding out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, Jamaica′s capital, a cut-throat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses, is devoid of London′s luxuries; life here can end swiftly with dysentery or a dagger in your back. But for Captain Charles Hunter it is a life that can also lead to riches, if he abides by the island′s code. In the name of His Majesty King Charles II of England, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking. And law in the New World is made by those who take it into their hands.

Word in port is that the Spanish treasure galleon El Trinidad, fresh from New Spain, is stalled in nearby Matanceros harbor awaiting repairs. Heavily fortified, the impregnable Spanish outpost is guarded by the blood-swiller Cazalla, a favorite commander of King Philip IV himself. With the governor′s backing, Hunter assembles a roughneck crew to infiltrate the enemy island and commandeer the galleon, along with its fortune in Spanish gold. The raid is as perilous as the bloody legends of Matanceros suggest, and Hunter will lose more than one man before he finds himself on the island′s shores, where dense jungle and the firepower of Spanish infantry are all that stand between him and the treasure.

With the help of his cunning crew, Hunter hijacks El Trinidad and escapes the deadly clutches of Cazalla, leaving plenty of carnage in his wake. But his troubles have just begun. 

My Thoughts

When I end the school year in May my mind automatically turns to all things beach! I want to go on a cruise, sit in the sand and sun and I also love reading about all things beach and pirates. Another blogger reviewed this book and I remembered how I'd started it years ago and never finished it. So when my mind shifted to "summer mode" I knew I wanted to go back and read it and review it. I had NO idea it was based on a real story and real person. When I found out I was shocked and pleased because I love books even more when they are about real historical people. 

I loved the way the author switched between Jamaica and the things going on with the Governor and the aristocracy and the pirates. The crew assembled to retrieve the Spanish treasure was an assortment of interesting characters, some real and some fictional. I thought the pacing of the story was done well in that it moved along quickly but also had enough time to elaborate on suspense and the voyage itself. Yes, I agree there was every imaginable "trope" you'd find as in a movie or show like Black Sails but I really thought it all fit together well. You had the female pirate whom everyone fears, the female captive who needs rescuing, the threat of hurricanes and Krakens, etc. But somehow it made the story fun! No I don't believe this all happened and it is fiction after all, but it was well written and I learned a lot about just how they would have attacked a ship twice their size with a much larger crew, not to mention how they pulled off the actual seizing of the treasure from Matanceros. 

Having read some of Crichton's other works a long time ago, I get how those who love him thought this was an extreme departure of his writing style. Maybe so, but this was a great adventure and I loved it. If you like pirates, treasure hunting, suspenseful battle scenes, and a main character who is flawed but you also find yourself rooting for, you will enjoy this book. I honestly wish he'd written another one in this setting with another pirate adventure. The author's note at the end telling what happened to the real characters is fascinating and made me want to delve into the real life of Captain Charles Hunter. Great summer read here!