The Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. By day, Vivian Kelly works as a shop delivery girl, and by nighThe Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. By day, Vivian Kelly works as a shop delivery girl, and by night, she works in a fashionable speakeasy, the Nightingale, where the booze flows freely, dancing lasts all night, and people don't have to hide their true selves. In the first two books, Vivian helped to solve two murders connected to the Nightingale. In the Last Note of Warning, Vivian becomes the main suspect in the murder of a wealthy man. She only has one week to find the true killer before she is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.
I have to admit I struggled with this book a little. I didn't love it as much as previous books. Even though the stakes were higher, with Vivian being the suspect, the story was not grabbing my attention. Maybe I was just not in the right mood for a murder mystery. I thought the mystery was compelling, but the pacing was slow. I also was left unimpressed with the romance. Vivian has two love interests, and I found both lacking. I did appreciate queer representation. I would recommend The Note of Warning to readers who enjoyed previous books or those looking for a queer historical mystery/fiction.
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I thoroughly enjoyed Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one day. It has everything I love in a h4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one day. It has everything I love in a historical mystery: a plucky heroine, a captivating mystery, quirky secondary characters, and a swoon-worthy romantic interest. I cannot wait to read more of Lady Petra's adventures. I highly recommend Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord to all historical mystery readers.
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I love gothic mysteries with atmospheric, spooky settings, so I had high expectations of The Curse of Penryth Hall. I liked the premise, but the execuI love gothic mysteries with atmospheric, spooky settings, so I had high expectations of The Curse of Penryth Hall. I liked the premise, but the execution left me wanting more. I felt that there were a lot of plot holes and loose threads that remained unresolved by the end of the book. I didn't love Ruby, the main heroine. She was a bit one-dimensional, and I didn't fully understand her relationship with the Pellar. It was neither here nor there. The murder mystery itself was satisfying. The Curse of Penryth Hall is a debut novel, and it might explain its shortfalls.
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A Traitor in Whitehall is a WW2 murder mystery set in Churchill's war rooms in London. A few days after starting her work at the war rooms, Evelyne ReA Traitor in Whitehall is a WW2 murder mystery set in Churchill's war rooms in London. A few days after starting her work at the war rooms, Evelyne Redfern stumbles upon the dead body of one of her co-workers. Being a reader and admirer of detective novels, Evelyne decides to investigate the murder herself. David Pool is a minister's aide trying to uncover a possible leak from the war rooms. They end up working together to solve both mysteries.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The setting of Churchill's war rooms is a perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. I liked Evelyne and her determination to uncover the killer. Despite some disagreements at first, Evelyne and David ended up being a great sleuthing team. And the sparks were flying between them. I hope that we will get more romance as the series progresses. I recommend A Traitor in Whitehall to all historical mystery fans, and I look forward to reading the next book.
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The Last Drop of Hemlock is the second book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. The main heroine, Vivian Kelly, is a young woman who works in The Last Drop of Hemlock is the second book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. The main heroine, Vivian Kelly, is a young woman who works in a fashionable speakeasy, the Nightingale. One night, the news spread through the club that one of their co-workers, Pearlie, has died by suicide. Pearlie is Vivian's best friend's Bea uncle. Bea asks Vivian to investigate his death because she believes someone killed him. Once Viviam starts to investigate the murder, she learns about several other very suspicious deaths in her neighborhood. And some people don't want Vivian to poke around with her investigation.
The Last Drop of Hemlock is a very entertaining mystery with a fascinating setting, a plucky heroine, shady characters, and a touch of romance (there is a love triangle). And notably, it is the first historical mystery series I've read with a Queer main heroine. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next installment.
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Playing It Safe is a WW2 mystery set in England and is the third book in the Electra McDonnell series. I haven't read the first two books, and althougPlaying It Safe is a WW2 mystery set in England and is the third book in the Electra McDonnell series. I haven't read the first two books, and although it was easy to follow the plot and characters in Playing It Safe, I would've enjoyed it more if I read the previous books. Overall, this was a good murder mystery, if a little slow-paced, and I would recommend it to historical mystery and fiction fans.
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Cold-Blooded Liar is the first book I've read by Karen Rose. It's a compelling murder mystery/police procedural about a series of cold-case murders ofCold-Blooded Liar is the first book I've read by Karen Rose. It's a compelling murder mystery/police procedural about a series of cold-case murders of teenage girls, the work of a serial killer who has evaded police for years. Kit McKittrick, a homicide detective in the San Diego Police Department, receives an anonymous call from a concerned citizen about a body buried in a park. The person who made the call is Sam Reeves, a therapist who treats court-ordered clients. He is conflicted about providing the information to the police because he heard it from his client, which falls under the therapist/patient's confidentiality. Because Sam is very cagey about how he got the information, he becomes a suspect in the case. Kit and Sam butt heads because Sam keeps interfering in Kit's investigation, but in the end, they'll have to work together to uncover the killer.
I really enjoyed Cold-Blooded Liar. It has complex characters, a thrilling mystery, some good twists, and a promise of romance. I thought I knew who the killer is from the beginning, but I was wrong. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
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Blackmail and Bibingka is the third book in the cozy mystery series Tita Rosie's Kitchen. In this book, Lila's cousin and Tita Rosie's estranged son, Blackmail and Bibingka is the third book in the cozy mystery series Tita Rosie's Kitchen. In this book, Lila's cousin and Tita Rosie's estranged son, Ronnie, returns to Shady Palms, bringing trouble with him. When one of Ronnie's business partners dies under suspicious circumstances, and Tita Rosie receives a blackmail e-mail, Lila has no choice but to investigate both crimes with the help of her friends and family. Overall, this was a fun mystery, and readers who enjoyed the first two books will like this one too. My one complaint is there were too many very detailed food descriptions at the expense of the actual sleuthing. After all, this is a book about solving a murder and not a food guide, mouth-watering as it was.
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Last Call at the Nightingale is a historical murder mystery set in Prohibition-era New York City. A struggling seamstress with no good job prospects, Last Call at the Nightingale is a historical murder mystery set in Prohibition-era New York City. A struggling seamstress with no good job prospects, Vivian Kelly's days are spent either at work or in a grubby apartment, where she lives with her older sister Flo. But her nights are spent in a speakeasy, the Nightingale, where she can dance to her heart's content, drink illegal booze, and meet interesting people.
One night Vivian discovers a dead body of a wealthy man shot outside the Nightingale. As a favor to Nightingale's charismatic owner, Honor, Vivian agrees to find out what she can about the dead man and learn possible motives for his murder. In the process, she discovers that poking into the lives of the rich and privileged comes with dangers.
I enjoyed this book very much. It has all the elements of a good murder mystery: an interesting setting, a spunky protagonist, a diverse cast of characters/suspects, and a touch of romance. I liked Vivian and her friends, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
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Homicide and Halo-Halo is the second book in Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala. In this book, our main heroine Lila is roped intHomicide and Halo-Halo is the second book in Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala. In this book, our main heroine Lila is roped into being a judge on the local teen beauty contest. When one of the judges is murdered, and Lila's cousin becomes the main suspect, Lila has no choice but to investigate the murder.
This book has a darker tone than the first book, but I didn't mind it at all. I found the premise of the beauty pageant very interesting; it makes for a great murder setting. I thought that the author did a great job addressing all the problematic elements of a beauty contest. I also found the murder and the murderer's motive more compelling than the first book. And I loved all the food descriptions. This book made me hungry! Overall, I enjoyed Homicide and Halo-Halo, even though cozy mystery is not my usual genre.
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Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala is a very entertaining culinary cozy mystery set in a small town involving a large Filipino family. The main chaArsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala is a very entertaining culinary cozy mystery set in a small town involving a large Filipino family. The main character, Lila, is forced to leave Chicago and return to her small town to help her aunt run their family restaurant. The restaurant is struggling financially, and their landlord is looking for any excuse to kick them out. Things go from bad to worse when a food critic, who happens to be Lila's ex-boyfriend, dies in their restaurant while eating food prepared by Lila. Lila becomes the main suspect in his murder. She will have to solve the murder and save the restaurant or go to jail.
I enjoyed this book, even though I didn't love Lila very much. I felt like she was making a lot of not-smart decisions. But I love her big Filipino family, they brought a lot of humor to the story. The food descriptions were mouthwatering; I don't recommend reading this book on an empty stomach. Overall, Arsenic and Adobo is an enjoyable cozy mystery, and I am looking forward to reading the next book.
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A Counterfeit Suitor is the fifth book in the Rosalind Thorne mystery series by Darcy Wilde. I have enjoyed every book in the series, and the latest iA Counterfeit Suitor is the fifth book in the Rosalind Thorne mystery series by Darcy Wilde. I have enjoyed every book in the series, and the latest installment is no exception. The main heroine, Rosalind Thorne, helps ladies to solve trouble discreetly and without scandal. She has become a useful woman to the rich and noble families of Regency London.
In this book the trouble strikes closer to home, and Rosalind has to solve the murder of her own estranged father, who abandoned her and her mother when she was a young girl. To solve the murder she will need the help of her friends, her sister, and of course the dashing Bow Street runner Adam Harkness. A Counterfeit Suitor is a well written, absorbing historical murder mystery and it's a great edition to the series. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
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A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem is a historical mystery and romance mash-up by a new to me author Manda Collins. In this book, Lady Catherine BaA Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem is a historical mystery and romance mash-up by a new to me author Manda Collins. In this book, Lady Catherine Bascomb, an owner of a London newspaper, clashes with Scotland Yard inspector Andrew Eversham, who leads an investigation of a series of murders terrorizing the capital. An article written by Lady Catherine leads to the arrest of an innocent man and a demotion for the inspector Eversham. When Lady Catherine becomes a witness in another murder, he is determined to prevent her from interfering in another investigation.
I loved Catherine and Andrew's chemistry and their animosity-to-love relationship. Their romance is also fraught by the class difference. It is scandalous for a Lady to be with a working-class man, even if he is a gentleman like Eversham. I must say, I liked the romance sub-plot more than the murder plot. I found the final confrontation with the murderer a little underwhelming. Overall, I enjoyed A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem and would recommend it to romance and murder-mystery readers!
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A Lady Compromised is the fourth book in the Rosalind Thorne series by Darcie Wilde. I am a big fan of this series, and I'm always excited for the nexA Lady Compromised is the fourth book in the Rosalind Thorne series by Darcie Wilde. I am a big fan of this series, and I'm always excited for the next book. In A Lady Compromised, Rosalind leaves London society and travels to the country to help her friend Louisa to plan her wedding. In the country, she will also be spending time with Louisa's cousin and Rosalind's first love and current suitor, Duke Casselmaine. Devon and Rosalind were almost engaged when they were young, but circumstances and a family scandal prevented them from getting married. Years later, they have a chance to be together, but Rosalind must decide if she wants up to give her independence to become a Duchess. Spending time in the country with Devon will help her see things more clearly.
But instead of spending time with Devon, Rosalind finds herself embroiled in another murder investigation, which also threatens her relationship with him. Country society appears to be even more troublesome than the London society. There is a lot of animosity between families. Dark secrets are boiling over and are threatening the peace and even the lives of the residents. It's up to Rosalind to solve the murder before more people die.
I enjoyed this latest murder mystery and read it one day. The one thing I didn't love is the direction Rosalind's and Devon's relationship took! I am getting tired of love triangles. I've read a few books lately that left me disappointed because the heroine didn't choose my preferred love interest, or the romance just fizzled out. Give me all the romance but please, authors, no more love triangles!
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It pains me to say it, but I decided to DNF A Pretty Deceit and not continue with the series. This is the case of "it's not the book, it's me." I fDNF
It pains me to say it, but I decided to DNF A Pretty Deceit and not continue with the series. This is the case of "it's not the book, it's me." I found myself not excited by the story and have no interest in continuing reading. It took me days to read 25% of the book when I usually finish a book in 2-3 days. My issue with this series is not the writing or the mysteries, it's the romantic subplot. I was team Max from the first book. I don't understand why he was set up as a romantic interest for Verity in This Side of Murder, only to completely change course and bring back Sidney, Verity's believed to be dead husband. I don't particularly like Sidney and find his character boring. There is also the issue of Sidney having deceived Verity in letting her believe he was dead for over a year. Since it's now clear that Max is not going to be the love interest and his role is rather small, even though he appears in all the books, I just lost interest in the series.
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I am a big fan of Kendra Donovan series; it's one of my favorite historical mysteries. I am always excited when the next book comes out. If you don't I am a big fan of Kendra Donovan series; it's one of my favorite historical mysteries. I am always excited when the next book comes out. If you don't know what this series is about, think CSI meets Outlander. Kendra Donovan is an FBI agent, who accidentally time travels to Regency-era England. She gets involved in different murder investigations while trying, unsuccessfully, to return to her own time. In Shadows in Time, Kendra is hired by Mrs. Gavenston, a brewery owner, to find her business manager, who has gone missing.
I enjoyed Shadows in Time as much as all other books in the series. And just like with all other books, my only complaint about the latest installment is I want a more developed romantic subplot! I love Kendra and Alec's romance, and I want to see more of their relationship. I want more swoon and more interactions between them. Otherwise, Shadows in Time is a nearly perfect historical mystery. I highly recommend it!...more
I love dark gothic mysteries and I've seen a ton of positive reviews for Things In Jars, so I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately, it left me vI love dark gothic mysteries and I've seen a ton of positive reviews for Things In Jars, so I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately, it left me very disappointed. The writing was very wordy and pretentious, and it didn't hold my attention at all. I did not connect with any of the characters. I am not sure why so many people loved Things In Jars, I felt like I was reading a different book from everyone else. I don't think I will be reading anything else from this author.
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