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.  

Stacking the Shelves #40

 

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. Enjoy your reading this week!

On sale this week for Kindle: $3.99 ($0 with my Kindle digital points)

My daily Book Bub newsletter had these listed for a steal and then when I went to my Amazon page I saw I'd get them for free due to Kindle points. They looked interesting enough and for zero dollars I just couldn't say no! I read up on the author and he has been writing these for awhile. They look a little like Anne Perry style books and I love all of hers. Inspector Ravenscroft is a failed detective who has been dismissed by his colleagues and while on a leave of sorts finds himself once again working a murder case. Each book is a different mystery and just reading the first few pages of book one I was hooked. He reminds me a bit of Perry's William Monk. 

On sale this week for Kindle: Free with my Kindle digital points.

This was in my Early Bird Books newsletter. I think the title caught my eye because I've not seen a cozy series set in Boston before. Most take place in England or New York. It's part of a series called Massachusetts Cozy Mysteries. Each book is set in a different historic area of Massachusetts and I'm always up for learning about new places while solving a mystery. This one looks fun and I'm excited to have book one! It's also a new to me author that I've not read before. 

On sale this week for Kindle: Sample (Very expensive for Kindle so I'm going to try the sample first)

I really want to read this book. And all of this author's books. She was featuring this one on my favorite podcast, Gone Medieval, with author Matt Lewis on their October 3rd episode. (numer 357 if you want to listen to it). I have promoted  books on my blog about Richard II and Henry IV before and I think they are interesting to me because there aren't a whole lot of them. Especially in historical fiction, which I like to read these days more than straight history. This is a history book but is written in a narrative style that makes the facts flow smoothly. 

It is unfortunate that a lot of new books written by UK authors are hard to get here in the U.S. for good prices or at the library. I might have to read the sample and wait a bit for this one.

The Virgin in the Ice by Ellis Peters (Cadfael Chronicles Book 6)

 

Publication Date:

March 10, 2020

Length:

 208 pages

Summary:

Continuing my journey with the adventures of our favorite monk, Brother Cadfael, book 6 has him puzzling out the mystery of missing siblings and a nun last seen traveling north from Worcester fleeing the carnage caused by the ongoing civil war in England between Empress Matilda and King Stephen. Everyone involved that know them are deeply concerned for their welfare with the cold, harsh weather and Cadfael is eager to help. Before he can do so though he gets involved with another crisis. He is asked to come to St. Mary, another church, to assist with medical help for a wounded monk. The monk reveals information while in a state of fever that has Cadfael wondering if he knows something about the missing children and nun. He knows he has to follow up on the task despite the elements and lack of clear direction. They won't last long out there. Although they have an Uncle who cares for them and wants to help, he cannot because he is a supporter of Empress Matilda and is not allowed to enter King Stephen's lands. 

Along with the local deputy sheriff and friend Hugh Beringar, Cadfael sets out on a twisting journey and manages to successfully find one, and then two of them. The third does not fare as well. Cadfael tries to piece together how the trio was separated. The reasons are disturbing and start to reveal an evil crime of passion that shocks all those involved. As they continue to search for answers they come across mercenaries and hardened men who must be dealt with and defeated in order to bring everyone home safely. Cadfael, who desires peace above fighting must put aside his beliefs for the moment to finish the task. 

My Thoughts:

This was one of my favorites from the series. When I started I didn't get hooked right away. But by the first twenty pages or so it became so engaging. I love all the Cadfael books, it's hard not to find something good, but there have been one or two that just didn't have enough of a solid mystery going on to keep me as interested. This book had missing travelers, mysterious visitors, blizzard conditions, fantastic, descriptive fight scenes (which usually bore me but didn't here) and the ending......oh what a twist! Not only was the murderer a surprise, the reason behind the murder was as well. We don't find that out until the very end and it is almost impossible to figure out. Also, Peters added another completely extra surprise that involves Cafael on the last few pages and makes you want to dive into book 7 right away. 

The characters that appear are given interesting back stories. The children come from a noble family and the "virgin in the ice" has her own story to tell from the grave that weaves into the bigger picture. Even the men who are fighting against them and are kidnappers and not good people held my interest with their side stories. This is one of the series that will likely make you want to keep reading. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Yesterday's Paper (The Knocknashee Story Book 2)

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm  featuring, Yesterday's Paper by Jean Grainger. I have not read anything by this author but this is the second book in what looks like an interesting historical drama. It is set in Ireland and the United States on the eve of World War II. 

Amazon has book one listed as number 1 in Irish Historical Fiction. Of course reading book one is first on the agenda but I'm all about promoting authors so if you've read book one go get this one. I hope you've found something you can't wait to read this week!

November 10, 2024

Historical Fiction

Description courtesy of GoodReads

As the world teeters on the brink of war in 1937, two people separated by an ocean are about to discover a connection that defies logic and time.

Eighteen-year-old Grace Fitzgerald, a fiery-haired dreamer, longs to escape the confines of life in her windswept Dingle fishing village. Across the Atlantic, Richard Lewis, heir to a Savannah banking fortune, suffocates under the weight of expectations that feel more like a cage than a crown.

When their worlds collide through a twist of fate, Grace and Richard uncover a bond so profound it shakes the very foundations of their existence. As Europe inches towards chaos, they find themselves caught in a whirlwind of discovery, challenging everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other.

From the rugged Irish coastline to the genteel streets of Georgia, 'Lilac Ink' weaves a tapestry of connection, friendship and learning against the ominous backdrop of impending global conflict. Grace and Richard must navigate not only their impossible bond but also the turbulent waters of family expectations, social norms, and their own conflicting desires.

This emotional journey through time and place will leave you questioning the idea of fate and the extraordinary power of human connection. In a world being torn apart, can two young people find a way to be true to themselves and to each other?"

A Soupcon of Poison: (A Kat Holloway Victorian Mysteries Novella) by Jennifer Ashley

 

Publication Date:

December 15, 2015

Length:

 127 pages

Summary:

This is the prequel to a very interesting series I started in September called the Kat Holloway Victorian Mysteries. As I was reading book one in the series, Death Below Stairs, I ran across this novella that said it was the real first book. So I stopped the novel and read this novella first. It explains so much about the characters! You have to start here to enjoy the series. 

In 1880's London Kat Holloway is a superb cook who has landed a job in the home of Sir Lionel Leigh-Bradbury. No one likes him much and he has some dark secrets of which Kat tries to avoid. She is distraught when accused of poisoning him and must try to clear her name. Daniel McAdam, a handy man of sorts becomes involved helping her find the real killer. They seem to have eyes for each other though neither admits it and as Kat finds out more about Daniel she begins to wonder if she can trust him. He seems to be not at all who he claims to be and pops up in the most unexpected times and most unusual places, just when she needs him.

The staff at the estate are varied in their trust of Kat and her protestations of innocence. Some are allies, some not, but she works hard to win them over in trusting her and as things unfold she gains support and assistance. As she and Daniel draw nearer to solving the crime they will be shocked at the who and the why behind it all.

Can't Wait Wednesday: To Kill a King by David Field (Book Five: The Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mysteries)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm  featuring, To Kill a King by David Field. I have read many of his historical fiction books about the period from 1066 to the reign of King John. They are wonderfully researched and simple to understand if you don't have all the background knowledge of English history. These books are part of his fictional historical mysteries. I am slowly collecting them and want to read them in order. This is his latest one in the series debuting this Friday.  Hope you've found something you can't wait for this week. Happy Reading ya'll!

October 18, 2024

Historical Mysteries

Description courtesy of Amazon

Not everyone is ready to welcome the new king of England…

Nottingham, England, 1603

Queen Elizabeth’s long reign has finally come to an end and the Tudor era is over. Scottish King James has been handed the crown of England, but not everyone is happy about that, and there are several plots being hatched to replace him with an alternative.

Bailiff Edward Mountsorrel already has his hands full with an increase in destitute vagrants flooding the county, who seem to be victims of a human trafficker. But before he can find the man responsible, he is tasked by an official with royal authority to infiltrate a local group, who it is rumoured are plotting to assassinate the new king.

Edward enlists the help of fellow bailiff, Francis Barton to find the group, who are hiding out in Sherwood Forest.

But the only way to discover the plot is to place themselves right in the heart of the danger. And there’s a good chance they will be killed before they can save the king…

Who is leading the band of rebels? Can he be stopped?

And is there a connection between the treasonous plot and the desperate vagrants Edward is trying to assist…?

To Kill A King is the fifth historical thriller in the Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mystery Series – private investigation crime novels set during the reign of Elizabeth I and beyond.

Stacking the Shelves #39

 

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. Enjoy your reading this week!

On sale this week for Kindle: $1.99 

Vail has written numerous historical fiction books, especially mysteries and a few epic novels too. I had never heard of him. This book came across as a suggestion on my Kindle store and was on sale for $1.99. Fantastic Fiction's website listed his works and they take place mostly during the 1100's and 1200's with historical and fictional characters thrown together. The reigns of Henry II and Henry III as well as some of Edward I are part of the backdrop. This book has sixteen sequel mysteries. It is part of the Stephen Attebrook Mysteries. I am thrilled to have discovered these as I love mysteries set during this time period. 

Sample: Trying it out first to see if I want to buy it:  Free Sample

This book was another suggested one for me on Amazon and it takes place in Bombay, India beginning on New Year's Eve 1949. It features a fictional female police inspector who has to solve the murder of an English diplomat with little to no support from her male dominated department. She teams up with a Scotland Yard detective which should make it even more interesting. I am hoping it will have some good history and suspense along with a unique setting and time period. It has won or been listed for more than one book award and is part of the Malabar House mystery series with a new book coming out in November. I just downloaded the sample first to check it out.

On sale for Kindle: $1.99

I have been slowly collecting Chadwick's books as they go on sale. They are expensive even on Kindle and sometimes hard to get in the states. This is book two of her first series, The Wild Hunt, and although it might not be the first one I'd read, I know how much her books are valued and so when I see them on sale I buy them! This book takes place during the reign of Henry I and features the daughter of a Welsh marcher baron. I love books featuring Welsh characters so it looks interesting. I have book three and just need the first one to complete my collection. 

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.