India Holton seamlessly blends historical fantasy, romantic comedy, and espionage in The Secret Service of Tea and Treason. Alice Dearlove, known India Holton seamlessly blends historical fantasy, romantic comedy, and espionage in The Secret Service of Tea and Treason. Alice Dearlove, known as Agent A is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group. She is their best fixer. When rumors of a possible assassination attempt on Queen Victoria reaches the agency, Alice is assigned to the case. However, this time she won’t be working alone. Agent B, Daniel Bixby, the agency’s most reliable investigator, is also assigned to the case. Their undercover assignment is that of a married couple. They must attend a pirate house party and find the hidden weapon. Used to working alone and as a ladies’ maid, butler, or valet, this is new territory for the agents. The assignment doesn’t go smoothly.
Alice has no friends, is sensible, is naive, and has no hobbies other than reading whenever she can. Daniel also reads, is controlled, and is used to working alone. They rely heavily on orders, structure, and discipline. Both characters are more complex than they initially seem and go through transformations as the events unfold. Their banter is a highlight in the book.
The world building and characterization were great. While set in Victorian England, this novel also has witches and pirates with flying houses. It is filled with literary quotes and misquotes as well as humor, and it has a few steamy scenes.
Each chapter heading gives a list of major events without giving away too much. There are many characters in the book, but there is a character list at the beginning of the book. Additionally, if you’ve read the previous books in the series, some of the characters will already be familiar to you. My biggest quibble was that there were times when the story was more “telling” than “showing”. While the book is somewhat over the top, it also has more depth than one might expect with the level of romantic comedy involved. Woven throughout are threads related to loneliness, romance, grief, friendship, and found families.
Overall, this memorable and funny novel has adventure, romance, a mystery, and plenty of excitement. This is a book that I am going to remember. While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Each book features a different couple. Readers that enjoy historical romances with humor, pirates, flying houses, and witches will likely love this novel.
Berkley Publishing Group and India Holton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for April 18, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------------------------- My 3.16 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon....more
Alexis Henderson brings a chilling atmosphere to her latest novel, House of Hunger. I’ve seen this book classified as historical fantasy and gothiAlexis Henderson brings a chilling atmosphere to her latest novel, House of Hunger. I’ve seen this book classified as historical fantasy and gothic horror. Both are fitting for this tale of wickedness, deceit, lies, and passion. Marion Shaw was raised in the slums of Prane, works as a maid for the hateful Lady Gertrude, and lives with her older brother who spends most of his time drunk or high. She longs to escape her life of deprivation and finally sees an opportunity when she reads a newspaper listing seeking a bloodmaid.
Marion doesn’t know much about the far north where nobles live in luxury and drink the blood of those in service to them. She soon finds herself the newest bloodmaid for the House of Hunger where Countess Lisavet and her court engage in their ideas around the pursuit of pleasure. Marion wants to please Lisavet, but there’s more going on than meets the eye. When another bloodmaid disappears one night, Marion is determined to find out what happened to her.
Marion is a convincing protagonist and is well-drawn. She feels guilt, but is determined to make a better life for herself. However, she’s somewhat naïve for someone who grew up on the streets and comes across as too trusting. The other characters had various degrees of depth, but a few weren’t developed as much as I would have liked.
The premise is great, and while there was a sense of potential danger, it didn’t quite create the suspense and sense of urgency that I expected during most of the book. After a strong beginning, the pacing slows during the middle section of the story. However, the last 25 percent is very dramatic and action-packed, but somewhat rushed. There are many disturbing scenes scattered throughout the novel. While vampires are never mentioned, there are plenty of hints around why Lisavet needs blood. However, why do her nobles need it? Any more details would be spoilers. The world-building is fantastic from the slums of Prane to Lady Gertrude’s home to the huge isolated mansion on an island in the far north. Themes include class, race, jealousy, contempt, mistrust, depravity, despair, power, wealth, gender, passion, friendship, and exploitation of others.
Overall, this story is engrossing, original, and has an impactful horror conclusion. If you enjoy gothic horror and historical fantasy, then this is a book to consider reading. It seemed right to read this during the fall.
Berkley Publishing Group –Ace and Alexis Henderson provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for September 27, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------ My 3.12 star rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon....more
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore is a reimagining of the witch Baba Yaga from Russian folk tales. Rather than a wicked witch whoThe Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore is a reimagining of the witch Baba Yaga from Russian folk tales. Rather than a wicked witch who stole children, readers meet a powerful healer and witch with vulnerabilities called Yaga. This retelling has a feminist slant to it. Other spirits and creatures from mythology and folk tales also play roles in this story set in Russia between 1560 and 1582. Yaga is a half-goddess possessing magic and living in a hut with chicken legs (Little Hen). With the hut and animals for company, she is lonely. Dyen, a wolf, and Noch, an owl, help her and communicate with her. Mortals seek her out only when they need healing.
Her old friend Anastasia, now married to Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, visits Yaga, suffering from an unknown illness. Yaga realizes the fate of Russia is tied to Anastasia’s health and travels to Moscow to be with her. A volatile situation, an unknown antagonist, and the tsar being manipulated by one or more individuals are only the beginning of the problems.
The characterization was a mixed bag. Yaga didn’t seem to have the power, knowledge, and decision-making capability she should have had after living for centuries. Tsar Ivan the Terrible was well-done and brought chills to this reader.
The author weaves a story of light versus darkness that highlights Russian history, mythology, and folktales. The country seemed to come to life in this descriptive tale that has excellent world-building. However, the pacing was slow at times. Interspersed throughout the story are themes of power and ambition, expectations and rules for women, charity, hope, manipulation, mental health, blame, hatred, violence, murder, love, friendship, and family by choice as well as family by blood.
The narrative is rather straightforward and the plot didn’t have the twists and turns that I expected. However, the historical references to actual people and events added a significant layer of interest to the plot. The author’s note is especially helpful in getting insight into what the author wanted to accomplish as well as whether some events were real or fictional. There is also a glossary of key figures (historical, fairy tale, and mythological) as well as places that are key to the story. The historical content seemed well researched.
Overall, this was a violent and emotional story that kept me engaged. Those that enjoy reimagined folk tales and mythology may want to consider this book as their next read.
Berkley Publishing Group – Ace and Olesya Salnikova Gilmore provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for September 20, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------------------------------- My 3.21 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon....more
Alma Katsu’s novel, THE FERVOR, is dark, intense, and disturbing, but contains important themes that are just as applicable today as they were in Alma Katsu’s novel, THE FERVOR, is dark, intense, and disturbing, but contains important themes that are just as applicable today as they were in 1944. While this is fiction, internment camps during World War II and many instances of violence against those of Asian (and other) ancestry in America are a harsh reality. That is one of the reasons this is such a difficult review to write and do justice to the book. The story can be categorized in many ways. It is historical fiction, a medical suspense, and a historical horror with a bit of folklore and supernatural suspense.
The story follows four main characters living in different states and switches points of view between them. Archie Mitchell is a minister in Bly, Oregon, Meiko Briggs and her daughter, Aiko, have been taken to an internment camp, Camp Minidora in Idaho, and Fran Gurstwold is a reporter in Ogallala, Nebraska. Archie wants to do the right thing, but he is somewhat weak and easily led by others. Meiko was born in Japan and brought up traditionally, but fell in love and married an American who is currently a pilot in the war. Aiko is intelligent, sees monsters and spirits, and was born in the United States. Fran is looking for a big story that will get her out of the women’s section of the newspaper. When a mysterious disease spreads among those interned as well those not in camps, the paranoia and the suspense rise. Strange doctors arrive at the camps and there are news blackouts. What unfolds is a mix of investigation, atrocities, folklore, threats, and violence.
This well-written novel is thought-provoking. Katsu does a great job of intertwining history, mythology, and horror into a bleak, shocking, moving, and original story. It isn’t sententious but rather pulls readers in with compelling characters, different points of view, and individual motivations. My biggest quibble is that the story was somewhat slow in the beginning, but as it unfolds, the suspense built as did my frustration and anger that such a thing as internment camps could happen in the United States. Most of those sent to the camps were born in the US and were citizens, but they were considered a potential threat by the government without cause. While I have read about this before, it certainly was not taught in any of my history classes in school. Themes include racism, xenophobia, suppression of the press, medical experiments, honor, violence against those who are different than oneself, and much more.
Overall, this was suspenseful, thought-provoking, and intriguing with fascinating characters and a situation that made me angry at the atrocities that still occur today. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons and Alma Katsu provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for April 26, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------ My review will be posted 3-4 days after it is published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
In City of Time and Magic, Paula Brackston brings a well-written and entertaining mix of historical fiction, fantasy, time travel, romance, and suIn City of Time and Magic, Paula Brackston brings a well-written and entertaining mix of historical fiction, fantasy, time travel, romance, and suspense. It is the fourth book in the Found Things series and readers will benefit from reading the series in order as there are references to events in previous books. The novel is set in and around Marlborough, a market town in the English county of Wiltshire in contemporary times and 1878 London.
Our protagonist, Xanthe, and her mother Flora live in Marlborough above their antique store, The Little Shop of Found Things. Xanthe has found that she can time travel to address injustices, an ability known to a few as Spinning. Objects sing and whisper to her to let her know when and where she is needed. At the end of book three, the main mission was accomplished, but there was a major cliffhanger. This book starts two weeks later with Xanthe feeling betrayed and worried about a friend. When three objects sing to her, she isn’t sure which one will take her on the mission she desires.
Xanthe has gained some confidence in herself and her ability to understand what the found objects need her to do. However, she is still learning what it means to be a Spinner able to travel to other times and places. She shows tremendous growth during the course of this fourth novel. The secondary characters provide the emotional support that Xanthe needs at this stage of her understanding of Spinning. They also bring realism to life through their quirkiness, hobbies and personalities. The antagonists’ motivations are as believable for 1878 as they are today.
Paula Brackston does a great job in giving the reader a sense of both time and place, and her descriptions help the reader to travel with Xanthe. The story has history, mystery, suspense, danger, deceit, uncertainty, secrets, villains, hope, friendship, sorrow, grief, love, duty to family, and much more. The author brings history to life with an entertaining story that is suspenseful, dramatic, and emotional. Be prepared for the imagery to engage your visual, tactile, auditory and olfactory senses.
Overall, it was compulsively readable, full of some surprising twists, and provides a believable historical atmosphere full of danger. This engaging combination fully delivered on the promise of its premise and opening scenes. The subplots tied together well, the main characters were strong, and the ending was explosive. Readers that enjoy time travel mixed with suspense and history will likely enjoy this novel.
St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 16, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine. ...more
Bloody Good by Georgia Evans is a historical fantasy set in England during World War II. It is also a paranormal romance and the first book in a sBloody Good by Georgia Evans is a historical fantasy set in England during World War II. It is also a paranormal romance and the first book in a supernatural trilogy. Dr. Alice Doyle takes care of the people in her hamlet Brytewood, which is located outside of London. But when corpses start appearing with no blood left in them, she accepts help from a Conscientious Objector as well as her Grandmother who insists she’s a Pixie. German agents have infiltrated the area and evil has come with them. How can they defend their country and each other against these agents?
While this novel was set in a different time period than most paranormal romances, it certainly had less action, except towards the end. The book started well, but quickly slowed down. There was some suspense and the constant threat of bombers. Additionally, there are a couple of steamy scenes along the way and some secrets revealed, but the pace just wasn’t what I was expecting. Additionally, the romance was too fast; especially for the 1940’s.
The characters were likeable, but didn’t quite have the depth I was expecting. However, the atmosphere in the village felt well done. This was an intriguing story line that didn’t quite work for me. It ended up being okay, but didn’t inspire me to want to read book two in the trilogy.
This is my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. ...more
PRICELESS by Catherine Stein brings independent and somewhat unusual characters as well as humor to a steampunk environment and tackles some serious iPRICELESS by Catherine Stein brings independent and somewhat unusual characters as well as humor to a steampunk environment and tackles some serious issues at the same time. It is the second book in the Sass and Steam series and is largely set in Paris, France. So this is both a steampunk mystery as well as a romance. However, it is much more than what it appears to be on the surface.
Our protagonists, Evan Tagget and Violet Dayton, appear to be very different characters and totally unsuited to each other. Evan was raised in a factory in New York City, but had a knack for inventions. He is now a multi-millionaire, lives in Paris, and runs a global business empire with an emphasis on telecommunication devices, mechanical dragons and clockwork gadgets. Violet makes a living painting forgeries as well as her own paintings and saving her commissions to host a Paris art exhibition. She wants to display her works as well as those of her friends. When a corrupt police inspector coerces Violet into tracking down a master art thief in Europe, she teams up with Evan to help her.
Evan and Violet are both far from perfect, but as a reader, I definitely rooted for their success. I got to know their fears, hopes and obsessions and got a good understanding of why they both have trust issues. The secondary characters are well-rounded and enhance the story with believable relationships that are not contrived.
The author did a great job of creating a strong sense of time and place. I felt like I was living the events alongside the characters. There were a couple of twists in the book that caught me by surprise. The writing was entertaining, witty and poignant at times. I was emotionally involved with the characters as well as the story.
Overall, this an engrossing, fascinating and engaging novel that pulled me in immediately. In addition to the mystery and romance, this novel tackles some tough issues. These include trust, love, friendship, family relationships, support of charities, social standing, fighting ignorance and hatred and much more.
If you enjoy steampunk romantic suspense, then this may be the next series for you. It worked well as a standalone novel, but I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
Thanks to BookBuzz.net and Catherine Stein for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 20, 2020....more
THE GARDEN OF PROMISES AND LIES by Paula Brackston is a well-written and entertaining mix of historical fiction, fantasy, time travel and suspense. ItTHE GARDEN OF PROMISES AND LIES by Paula Brackston is a well-written and entertaining mix of historical fiction, fantasy, time travel and suspense. It is the third book in the Found Things series and readers will benefit from reading the series in order as there are references to events in previous books. The novel is set in and around Marlborough, a market town in the English county of Wiltshire in a mix of contemporary times and 1815.
Our protagonist, Xanthe, and her mother Flora live in Marlborough above their antique store, The Little Shop of Found Things. Xanthe has found that she can time travel to address injustices, an ability known to a few as Spinning. Also, objects sing and whisper to her. When Benedict Fairfax shows up in contemporary times coerces Xanthe’s assistance and an antique wedding dress calls to her at an auction, she knows that the two are somehow connected and she will once again be time traveling. But how will she determine what the dress needs her to do? Will the Spinner notebook she discovered provide the necessary information and will she be able to interpret it accurately? Who can she trust in the past?
Xanthe has gained some confidence in herself and her ability to understand what the found objects need her to do. However, she is still learning what it means to be able to travel to other times and places. Fairfax is well-portrayed as her nemesis and his motivations are personal to his history and upbringing. Secondary characters provide the emotional support that Xanthe needs at this juncture of her understanding of Spinning. They also bring realism to life through their quirkiness, hobbies and personalities.
Paula Brackston does a great job in giving the reader a sense of both time and place, and her descriptions help the reader to travel with Xanthe. The story has history, mystery, suspense, danger, deceit, uncertainty, secrets, a villain, hope, friendship, duty to family and much more.
Despite a somewhat slow start, overall, this is a steadily paced novel that brings history to life with an entertaining story that is both suspenseful, dramatic and emotional. Be prepared for the imagery to engage your visual, tactile, auditory and olfactory senses. While the climax was not a total surprise, the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more.
Readers that enjoy time travel mixed with suspense and history should enjoy this novel. I look forward to reading more books by Paula Brackston.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 15, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
Salem Burning by Daniel Sugar is fast-paced reimagining of the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials. Although there is a prologue set in 1550 in ScotSalem Burning by Daniel Sugar is fast-paced reimagining of the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials. Although there is a prologue set in 1550 in Scotland and an Epilogue set in 1702 in Paris, France, the rest of the novel takes place in 1692 in Salem Village, The Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Eighteen-year-old Lilly Parris lives with Grandmother Rose. She is engaged to Kyle Edwards, the son of the only doctor in the village. When he sees a beautiful woman arrive, he breaks his engagement by accusing Lilly of witchcraft. Of course, Kyle is an accomplished liar who has been and continues to use lies to get his way. However, Kyle gets more than he bargained for with his accusation since Lilly really is a witch.
The characterization in this story is rather superficial and the prose is simplistic. Themes include murder, witchcraft, corruption, greed, lies, torture, and much more.
While the retelling is interesting, it only rose to the level of okay. Overall, this book has a great concept that did not live up to its potential.
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Discussion Group Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. ...more
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