Who Cries for the Lost by C. S. Harris

June 27, 2023

Who Cries for the Lost by C. S. Harris

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, returns to solve another crime involving the aristocracy. A mutilated body is pulled from the Thames, and when he is identified, Sebastian realizes that he knows the man as a former army colleague. But then it is learned that his friend Paul Gibson and Paul's lover Alexi Sauvage have a connection to the man as well, and Sebastian races to discover the murderer.  The murdered man was a notorious rake who seduced the wives and daughters of a number of noblemen and at first the crime appears to be connected to his nighttime activities. But then other mutilated bodies are found floating in the river that seem to have no connection to the first man. Meanwhile, on the continent, Napoleon's date with Wellington and the British forces draws ever closer.

Another stellar entry into the series, well-researched, historically accurate. The picture of life in Regency England is one of the best things about this series. Sebastian's relationship with his father the earl continues to evolve, as does Paul's relationship with Alexi. The bad part is having to wait another year for the next installment.

Cabrera Island off the coast of Spain, which plays an unexpectedly large part in the story

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

June 18, 2023

Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg

Sequel to Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. At the end of the previous book, Merritt Fernsby is just realizing that he has some magical abilities and that he's in love with Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms. He sets out to explore his heritage while Hulda tries to find her friend Myra and hold onto her place with BIKER.

Very enjoyable follow-up to Merritt and Hulda's story, if not quite as good as the first book. It was good to revisit the other characters like Owein, Beth and Baptiste as well. It sounds like the next book will focus on Owein (ominous chord) since we find out that he has much more magical power than any of the other characters.  Looking forward to it. If you like urban fantasy, try this series.

It's Owein!

A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K. J. Charles

June 2, 2023

A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K. J. Charles

Rufus d'Aumesty is the new Earl of Oxney, much to the consternation of his uncle Conrad who, unaware of his older brother's son, thought the earldom was his. But there is another possible claimant, Luke Doomsday, scion of the local smuggler family, whose mother may or may not have been married to Rufus' father first. Either way, Conrad won't be the next earl. The estate papers are a mess, the tenants have been neglected for years, and Rufus is trying to hide the fact that he is dyslexic. He needs help getting the estate back on track, and Luke is a professional secretary. As Rufus and Luke begin to turn the estate around, it becomes nearly impossible for them to ignore their mutual attraction.

Fun historical LGBTQ romance, set 13 years after the author's previous book about Sir Gareth Inglis and Joss Doomsday. Luke appears as a child in that book and it's nice to see him all grown up and revisit Sir Gareth and Joss. This is ideal as a vacation book or to read on a beach somewhere.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Marsh

Madwoman by Louisa Treger

June 20, 2022

Madwoman by Louisa Treger

In 1887, reporter Nellie Bly deliberately had herself committed to the lunatic asylum on Blackwell's Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City. Determined to win a position as a reporter for the New York Times (which didn't hire women reporters at the time, and only accepted stories from female journalists for human interest or society stories), she planned to expose conditions in the asylum. But nothing prepared her for the true horror that awaited her. Based on the true story of the first female investigative journalist.

I had read Treger's previous novel The Dragon Lady and enjoyed it. Nellie Bly was a crusading reporter ahead of her time, especially for a woman. The details of how women were treated and life at the asylum were truly chilling. Nellie was a remarkable historical figure; her stories about her time in the asylum are available online.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.

Nellie Bly

The lunatic asylum on Blackwell's Island

The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn

October 26, 2022

The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn

Orphaned following the death of her grandfather, Theodora Lestrange is a 23 year old spinster living in Edinburgh with her sister and her husband and their five children. Theodora does have a suitor, but rather than entering a life of domesticity, what she really wants is to travel and write a novel. When a school friend invites her to come and stay at her family's castle in Rumania, Theodora jumps at the chance to leave Scotland and her sister's house and have an adventure.

I have enjoyed the author's other books, and while I'm not much of a romance reader, this is a good choice for the Halloween season. It is much different than her other books, much more a traditional gothic novel with castles and legends and a mysterious count, all set in Transylvania. The story pays homage to both Dracula and Northanger Abbey. It does have kind of a racy cover.

Castle in Transylvania

Raven Spell by Luanne G. Smith

May 5, 2022

Raven Spell by Luanne G. Smith

Two sisters, Edwina and Mary Blackwood, own a secondhand shop in London. Early every morning, they go out and scavenge the streets and riverbank for items that have been lost or washed up by the river. But one sister takes more than just found items. When they discover private investigator Ian Cameron unconscious, they believe he is near death and one sister steal his memories. But Ian survives and turns up at the shop, demanding they return his memory. After a rocky beginning, Ian and Edwina join forces to solve the mystery that brought Ian to London in the first place.

Didn't really enjoy this one. The writing wasn't great and the only character I like was Ian. There is a sequel but I'm not going to bother with it. Not recommended unless you read only fantasy.

When Blood Lies by C. S. Harris

April 30, 2022

When Blood Lies by C. S. Harris

March 1815 - Napoleon is in exile, Louis XVII has been restored to the throne of France, and Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his family have traveled to Paris in hope of tracing Sebastian's long-lost mother, Sophie, Countess Hendon. At the same time, an international conference is being held in Paris. Sebastian locates Sophie, but comes upon her as she lies dying from an assailant's attack. Sophie had been living as mistress to Marechal Alexandre McClellan, a French nobleman of Scottish ancestry who was first one of Napoleon's generals and now had sworn allegiance to the king. When French authorities show no interest in pursuing who killed the notorious Englishwoman, Sebastian and his wife Hero take it on themselves to hunt down the murderer and bring them to justice.

With each book in this series, we learn a little more about Sebastian's background. This is the 17th book in the series and one of the best, IMHO. Like the previous books, it is filled with fantastic historical details and accuracy, blending real events and people seamlessly with fiction.

A Parisian cafe, 1815

An Impossible Imposter by Deanna Raybourn

April 25, 2022

An Impossible Imposter by Deanna Raybourn

London 1889 - Recently returned from attending a royal wedding in Europe, Veronica Speedwell and her partner Stoker (aka Revelstoke Templeton-Vane) are summoned by Sir Hugh Montgomerie to investigate a delicate matter. A man named Jonathan, believed to have been killed in the eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia in 1883, appears at his family home, claiming amnesia. He has the "dead" man's belongings and matches his general description. The family members are uncertain whether he really is the missing Jonathan. His teenaged sister and elderly grandmother are the only family members who ever met the man in person, and while the grandmother is positive that he's her grandson, the sister is less sure. It's important for them to find out, because the missing man was the heir to the family fortune and the country house where they now all live. 

I love the Veronica Speedwell series, and in this volume, we learn more about Veronica's past beyond her connection to the royal family. But the more we learn about Veronica, the more mysteries there are! Her relationship with Stoker is growing deeper and is one of the best things about the mysteries, considering I'm not much into romance novels. The peripheral characters are all entertaining and well-conceived. Looking forward to the next book.

The volcano on Krakatoa blew up in 1883, so there aren't any photographs from that time - this is Krakatoa today.

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler

April 7, 2022

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler

In 1822, the Booth family (yes, the parents and siblings of John Wilkes Booth) moved to a farm in a remote area of Maryland. There would eventually be ten children. Father Junius was a renowned Shakespearean actor who traveled frequently for his work, and has both a remarkable talent and terrifying instability. As the country draws closer to war, the Booth family side with the Union, which makes Wilkes' radical politics all the more disturbing (he was called Wilkes by his family and friends). When Wilkes executes his deadly conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln, his mother and siblings are left to deal with the aftermath.

The Booth acting dynasty was forever tarnished by John Wilkes Booth's actions, completely overshadowing their contributions to American theater. The storyline is about the Booth family and told by them, rather than about Wilkes himself, and narrative is ultimately about family, even with that family is left to pick up the pieces after a national tragedy.

Junius Booth and his son Edwin

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

November 2, 2021

The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

Ceony Twill graduated at the top of her class at magic college, yet the only apprenticeship that she is offered is working with a paper magician, considered to be the simplest type of magic. Once she is bound to paper, that is the only magic that she will be allowed to perform, although she longs to work with metal spells. The paper magician turns out to be kindly and the spells he shows her are more wonderful than she ever expected. Because Ceony was unable to bring her dog with her, the magician even makes her a paper dog who acts much like a real dog. But when a dark magician invades the house and rips the paper magician's heart from his chest, Ceony must face the evil to save her mentor's life.

After reading the author's Spellbreaker/Spellmaker duology, I was really disappointed in this book. It was just way too strange.

Origami/paper art

The Magpie Lord by K. J. Charles

October 1, 2021

The Magpie Lord by K. J. Charles

Upon the death of his father and older brother, Lucien Vaudrey is summoned home from the far east, having inherited the family earldom. He is now Earl Crane. But his family has magical enemies and he needs help fast. He summons a magician from London to assist him. Magician Stephen Day arrives to help but he secretly hates Crane's family, for good reason. But the two are forced to work together to clear the malevolent forces threatening Crane's estate. They also discover a powerful physical attraction to each other.

This was a freebie from Amazon Prime. It's the first book in the Charm of Magpies series. There's nothing wrong with the story or the magic aspect, but I did not like how Lucien treated Stephen. Stephen is a petite man and Lucien bullied and abused him, even/especially during the sex scenes (which were more graphic than I expected them to be). I'm a small person (although female) and I know how threatening it feels to have a much larger person trying to dominate you, just because they can.

Not going to continue with the series.

A magpie

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris

September 7, 2022

The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris

George and Isabelle Walker and their son Caleb live a quiet secluded life on the outskirts of Old Ox, Georgia. George has always been an eccentric man: he inherited a large tract of land from his father and he preferred to sell off the land piece by piece rather than work. He spends his time reading and taking long hikes in the forest that he owns. Isabelle loves her husband but has never understood him. Caleb enlisted in the Confederate Army, just like all the other young men in Old Ox. Near the end of the war, Caleb's best friend August brings them word that Caleb has been killed in the war. Following General Lee's surrenders, Old Ox is living under military rule. A short time later, Caleb comes home but by that time, August's father has spread word throughout the town that Caleb is a coward and a deserter. His face is damaged but he is otherwise unharmed. But Caleb and August have a secret - they have been lovers since before the war.

George suddenly decides that rather than sell off more of his land, he will begin to farm peanuts. He hires two former slaves, Prentiss and Landry. His neighbors reset that the two ex-slaves are working for George for wages while so many returning soldiers are unemployed (not that many of them would have worked as farmhands), feeling that it goes against the centuries-old social order. Even though it doesn't affect anyone except the Walkers, all the whites in the community have an opinion. But when Landry stumbles on Caleb and August having a tryst in the forest, disaster follows.

An exceptional book, one of the best books that I've read this year. This title was chosen for Oprah's Book Club, President Obama's reading list and was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize. How does a community make peace in the wake of civil war and emancipation? Why do so many people feel it's their place to judge others and decide what's right for them? Until God gives me the administrator's passcode, I'll leave that up to Him/Her/Them.

Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

July 28, 2021

Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

Elsie Camden is a spellbreaker - she can undo magic spells that are set by the wealthy or aristocrats to harm the common people. She receives her instructions from a mysterious handler that she has never met. Whoever it is leaves notes and instructions for her. But Elsie's biggest problem is that she is unlicensed to perform magic, which carries a hefty penalty. She has to work surreptitiously to accomplish her assignments.

Elsie works for a low-level magician who works as an artist. Things are going pretty well for her, until she runs afoul of a powerful magician at a nearby estate. To keep him from exposing her, Elsie must agree to work for him. But when a more powerful but unknown sorceror begins to kill wizards and steal their spell books, they must work together to undo the sorceror's dark magic.

This is book one of a duology featuring these characters. You can tell there's going to be a romance in the second book, but that's okay, the author keeps it low-key. Holmberg has another series that I tried and didn't like, but this one is a very enjoyable fantasy.

Spell book

Why Kill the Innocent by C. S. Harris

January 12, 2021

Why Kill the Innocent by C. S. Harris

During one of the worst winters in memory, the body of Jane Ambrose, a talented young musician, is found in a snowdrift. As music teacher to Princess Charlotte, heir presumptive to the throne, as well as the children of other aristocrats, Jane had ties to the royal court.

At first, Jane's death appears to be tied in some way to Princess Charlotte's upcoming bethrothal. But as a trail of bodies turn up in various London districts, it quickly becomes obvious that more than the court is involved and a complex web emerges. While Lord Jarvis and others close to the Prince Regent prefer to ignore Jane's murder, Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife Hero refuse to allow Jane's killer to go free.

I love this series, with its seamless blending of real and fictional characters with historical and political events. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.

Where the Dead Lie by C. S. Harris

 December 6, 2020

Where the Dead Lie by C. S. Harris

When the body of a homeless child is found on the grounds of an abandoned factory, Inspector Lovejoy requests the assistance of Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin.  Devlin has assisted Lovejoy in the past when crimes involve members of the aristocracy, and Lovejoy suspects that someone from the upper classes is preying on street children, luring them with promises but torturing and murdering them instead.  Sebastian's investigation leads him through the underworld haunts of depraved aristocrats to find the murderer.

This is book #12 in the Sebastian St. Cyr series and it does not disappoint, although the subject matter does make for difficult reading at times.  Wonderful details about Regency life among both the upper and lower classes, great supporting characters like Sebastian's wife Hero and his surgeon friend, and great research on the social and political climate of the day make this a stellar historical mystery.

A Most English Princess by Claire McHugh

 September 18, 2020

A Most English Princess by Claire McHugh

Victoria, Princess Royal, was the first-born child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  Intelligent and outspoken, at age 17, she married the Prussian prince who would later become Emperor Frederick III and went to live with him in Prussia.  Although their married life was happy and they had eight children together, the political climate was tense and Vicky found the court etiquette to be restrictive.  From the beginning, the aristocracy and their Prussian subjects did not trust Vicky, feeling she was too English and would always support causes that benefited the land of her birth.  Vicky and her husband Fritz favored a parliamentary government based on the English system and backed progressive causes, but were strongly opposed by Fritz's father and his chancellor Bismarck.

Extensively researched, this is a very well-written historical novel about a lesser known historical figure.  You can see the roots of the wars to come in the 20th century.  However, I have to say that I would have preferred more about Vicky and less about the politics of the time.  The constant infighting in the Prussian royal family and the wars grew repetitious after awhile.  There were also a lot of guys named Frederick and nicknamed Fritz!  Unfortunately, the novel ends when Vicky is 30, before her husband even becomes emperor.  Personally, I would rather have heard more about the last 30 years of Vicky's life rather than to have them very briefly glossed over in the epilogue.  

Victoria, Princess Royal, as a young woman

A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn

July 12, 2020

A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica Speedwell and her partner Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (i.e., Stoker) are back for their 5th adventure, this time involving Prince Eddy, oldest son of Edward, Prince of Wales.  Eddy has been visiting a house of pleasure run by the mysterious Madame Aurore, and he hasn't been very circumspect about his activities.  He ordered a piece of diamond jewelry for Madame Aurore from his mother's jeweler and billed it to her account, thinking she would never find out (sigh).  Worse yet, Lady Wellie, guardian of royal secrets, has been receiving anonymous notes and newspaper clippings insinuating that Eddy is involved in the Jack the Ripper murders.  Urgently needing a discreet inquiry into both matters, she calls on Veronica and Stoker to investigate and retrieve the jewel before it falls into the wrong hands.  Veronica's mysterious ancestry unexpectedly comes into play as well, and matters between Veronica and Stoker personally continue to heat up.

I really enjoy this series, for the entertaining dialogue and the perils that the characters land in.  I usually don't enjoy mysteries with sleuthing couples since they tend to be simpering and sugary, and the couple are almost never in conflict with each other.  Not so with Veronica and Stoker - their verbal sparring and undeniable chemistry keep things entertaining.  There is enough quirkiness to keep the reader amused - Patricia the Galapagos tortoise is getting married, Lady Rose (Lord Rosmarron's daughter) is scheming to poison her brother (but only a little), and Stoker's brothers make an appearance as well.  I also like how historical characters and events are skillfully woven into the story line.  This series is smart, sexy, and well-plotted, with fast pacing and frequent twists.  The Victorian-style silhouette covers only add to the series' attraction.  The only bad part is that once you finish the book, you want the next adventure, and it's probably going to be about a year before you get it.

If you haven't read any of the titles in this series, I highly recommend starting with the first book, A Curious Beginning, where we first meet Veronica and Stoker.

Who Buries the Dead by C. S. Harris

July 1, 2020

Who Buries the Dead by C. S. Harris

 

When a socially ambitious Londoner is found decapitated on the outskirts of the city, and a number of prominent citizens appear to be involved, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is drawn into the investigation.  But as the brutal murders increase, Sebastian finds himself not only in the drawing rooms of Mayfair but also in the haunts of London’s poorest residents.  Joining forces with his independent wife Hero, Sebastian must identify the killer and figure out their motives before harm comes to himself or his family.

This is the 10^th book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series, set in the early 19^th century during the Regency period, and there ends up being more than one mystery to solve.  I love the way C. S. Harris weaves historical figures such as the Prince Regent and novelist Jane Austen through the story, as well as historical events such as the discovery of the lost tomb of Charles I.  I also really like the way that Sebastian and Hero’s relationship is deepening with each book, as well as the growth of Sebastian’s backstory.  Sebastian’s hobby of investigating murders is no more popular with his or Hero’s families than is her hobby of investigative journalism.  While the Devlins are definitely one of London’s glam couples, it is also charming to read the domestic scenes about things like having a colicky baby – it is so satisfying that someone who suffers as much as Sebastian does for the acts he committed or witnessed during war, finally has a happy life.  But it was shocking when one of the recurring characters was murdered quite suddenly.

The Sebastian St. Cyr series is one of my favorite historical series, and I’m so glad there are several more books to look forward to.  The books are all well-written and researched, and I save them to enjoy like special treats.

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

June 16, 2020

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

As the Civil War rages, slaves Hannie Gossett, her mother, and siblings are sent by their owner from Louisiana to his property in Texas, as a way to protect his assets.  But the relative sent to safeguard the slaves on their journey begins selling them off at the Texas towns they pass through.  Ten years after the end of the Civil War, Hannie still lives at the Gossetts’ Louisiana plantation, but as part of a group of sharecroppers who have worked to gain ownership of their land.  But the plantation owner has gone missing, and the sharecroppers fear that if he dies, his wife will burn the deeds to the sharecroppers’ property.  Hannie breaks into the main house, determined to find the deed, only to find that Mr. Gossett’s mixed race daughter Juneau Jane is there as well, searching for documents that will protect her and her mother (Mr. Gossett's mulatto "fancy woman").  Determined to track down Mr. Gossett or his business partner, Hannie disguises herself as a boy and travels with Gossett’s two daughters from Louisiana to Texas to try and locate one of the men, or at least find out what happened to Gossett.

Along the way, the girls discover a newspaper column called Lost Friends, which prints letters for people (mostly former slaves) seeking lost family members.  They begin to collect more stories from the people they meet on their quest, and Hannie vows to help as many of them as she can, while searching for her own lost family.

In a parallel story, Benny Silva takes a job as an English teacher in Augustine, Texas, the town founded by the Gossett family.  The school is woefully short of supplies, and she contacts Nathan Gossett, the heir to the Gossett house, about donating books from the Gossett library to the school.  Little do either of them suspect that they are opening up a long-sealed chapter of local history.

Like her previous novel (Before We Were Yours), Wingate shines a spotlight on a hidden or forgotten piece of history.  The newspaper excerpts printed between the chapters really humanize the true horror of slavery even among those who treated their slaves "well":  of men owning other people and selling them off with no more thought than they would their cattle, often being sold repeatedly; of the separation of families; of the lifelong desire and need to find those families again, with the search sometimes lasting over 40 years; and of the injustices that former slaves continued to suffer, even after freedom.

Moving and at times gut-wrenching, I highly recommend this historical novel to anyone who wants to learn more about unknown history and injustices that last to this day.

Marley by Jon Clinch

November 24, 2019

Marley by Jon Clinch

A re-telling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol starring Jacob Marley.  Ebenezer Scrooge and Marley meet as boys at boarding school and become business partners for the rest of their lives.  While Scrooge is a penny-pinching number-cruncher, Marley is the schemer who comes up with all of the plots and plans.

While this is very creative and well-written (like Clinch’s novel Finn), I found it disappointing in a number of ways.  Marley comes on the scene as a young man at boarding school, already swindling his fellow students, and the reader learns nothing about his childhood or what made him the way he is.  I had the impression that he was at least a few years older than Scrooge.  Marley is portrayed as purely evil, while Scrooge is cast as Marley’s dupe and not very bright.  They are not friends, merely business associates, who eventually spend most of their time trying to ruin the other.

There are references to A Christmas Carol as well as several of Dickens' other works (David Copperfield, Hard Times, et al) which were fun to spot.  But the ending was depressing and hopeless, as Marley waits to be released from what appears to be hell by the soul of a very good man that he had murdered.  There is no hint of Marley desiring to return to earth to save Scrooge or anyone else, just himself, as usual.  Not recommended unless you're looking for a depressing book.