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 Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

November 27, 2020

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

Desperate for a fresh start after World War I and the death of his wife in the 1918 flu pandemic, Captain Sam Wyndham accepts a job in Calcutta, India, to head up a new criminal investigation division.  He barely arrives before he is assigned his first investigation:  the murder of a senior British official (a rising man) whose body was found behind a Calcutta brothel.

The descriptions of India at the time of the British Raj are wonderful and the history of the time is very well-researched.  Set near the end of the British Empire in India, the British are desperately trying to hang on and maintain their standard of living, while the Indian populace are pushing for home rule.  These conflicts are reflected in the interplay between Captain Wyndham and his two detectives who represent these differing points of view.  Captain Wyndham is a damaged character who unfortunately is not very good at being a detective - this is one of the main flaws in the story.  This is the first book in a series so hopefully the main character will get better at his job

Sovereign by C. J. Sansom

 November 8, 2020

Sovereign by C. J. Sansom

1541 - With England in a state of political turmoil, Henry VIII sets out on a royal progression with his court to visit the far reaches of his realm and calm his troubled subjects.  Archbishop Cranmer tasks lawyer Matthew Shardlake with the unenviable job of ensuring that a suspected conspirator is returned safely to London to stand trial.  Shardlake also becomes involved in investigating the murder of a local businessman after pages found in the victim's possession that question the legitimacy of Henry VIII's reign.

This is book #3 in the Matthew Shardlake series.  Like the previous titles in the series, it is well-researched and provides a fascinating look at life in Tudor England in addition to a page-turning mystery.  The overall tone is darker than the first two books, but England was growing increasingly grim the longer Henry reigned.

Great series - highly recommended to fans of historical fiction.

The Royal Art of Poison: Filthy Palaces, Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicine, and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman

 November 18, 2020

The Royal Art of Poison:  Filthy Palaces, Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicine, and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman

For centuries, royal families have lived in fear of poison more than any other weapon.  It was relatively easy for a disgruntled relative or courtier to slip a little something-something into the royal goblet or gravy boat.  Kings, queens, and their main advisors relied on food tasters and questionable antidotes (deer gallstones, anyone?) to hopefully save them from the common poisons of the day.

But a good number of suspicious deaths were more likely the result of dirty living conditions, poor hygiene, cosmetics made from lead and human feces, and the medical practices of the time.  This is a very entertaining and readable collection of the follies of past centuries - it will make you happy to be living in the 21st century.

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

The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters

 July 18, 2022

The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters

Jayne Swift trained as a physician but in 17th century England, women are not allowed to use the title of doctor.  When civil war breaks out, she strives to remain neutral and treat the injured on both sides.  Her resolve is complicated by a mysterious man named William Harrier - he seems to pop up everywhere.  Who is this man and what is his role?  Is he a spy?  Which side is he on?  It becomes increasingly difficult for Jayne to remain neutral with her father and younger brothers fighting for the Royalists, and her older brother fighting for the Parliamentarians.

This is a well-researched historical novel set in the 17th century at the time of the English Civil War.  I was drawn in for the first half of the book.  Unfortunately, the war scenes, political arguments, and medical treatments become repetitious as the book goes on.  Although the reader understands that Jayne is supposed to be progressive in her medical treatments, some of her practices are suspiciously 21st century.  

I am a fan of the author's previous crime novels which are excellent, but not so fond of her historical fiction.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.

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

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

November 2, 2020

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

(Yes, this is a title that I read in 2020.  I'm going to try to catch up the blog with the books that I've read in the past year and a half.  Before I had my hip done, it was too painful to sit at my laptop for any length of time, so the reviews didn't get done.  But I have the whole list of what I read - I'm obsessive/compulsive that way.)

In  post-World War II London, an unmarried middle-aged teacher decides to go search for a mythical beetle that has fascinated her since childhood.  She sets out for New Caledonia with a traveling companion who could not be more different from her, except that she too is at a crossroad in her life.  Although they have different reasons and goals, the two women must learn to trust and depend on each other, and an unlikely friendship develops.

This is a heartwarming historical novel in the same vein as the author's previous work The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry  It reminds the reader that the journey is often more important than the destination or the conclusion.

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

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

July 15, 2022

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Hello - I've been missing in action for a while.  I retired, I had a hip replacement, my sweet rescue dog Asia went to the Rainbow Bridge, etc.  Life happened.  All along, I've been reading, so I'm planning to reactivate my reading blog so I can inflict my reading taste on even more people (I already share them on GoodReads and NetGalley).

Sam and Sadie were childhood friends who bonded over illness and a love of games.  After being estranged for many years, they meet again in college and decide to collaborate on a video game.  With their friend Marx, they design and create several popular games.  Over the course of two decades, they experience friendship, love, and loss.

I've read several of Zevin's books and I really enjoyed this one - so far, it's one of the best books that I've read this year. The main characters in this novel are young adults but it's not a YA book.  It's also about gaming but you don't have to play games to enjoy it or connect with the characters.  Even though I'm over 60, I play games online like many people do, so I understood the definitions about the different types of games and the abbreviations, although the terms are explained well enough for non-gamers to understand.  (While I don't care for shooter or racing games, I do enjoy world-building games and puzzles - there is something out there for everyone.)

I highly recommend this title to anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction, well-developed characters, and a good storyline.  

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