Can't Wait Wednesday: The Harlot of St. Cecilia's by Darcy Graves (Inspector Garrett Book One)

 For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Harlot of St. Cecilia's, by Darcy Graves. This is book one of the series, Inspector Garrett. I have not heard of it or this author which is probably what made me request it. That and the cover which is gorgeous. Yes, it is another cozy, historical mystery set in the 1920's but this time it involves a librarian as the main character. Just my kind of story! It looks like a fun read and with my back to school tired teacher brain I need fun and easy to read. 

Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery

October 1, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

England, 1923. The war is over but not forgotten, and in the cloistered corridors of a university town just outside London, life has resumed its careful performance of normality, with faculty politics, reading circles, and theatre productions.

Into this world comes Eden Brior: an American librarian, sharp-eyed and perpetually out of step, who came to England looking for her lost brother but has made her quiet life among the stacks of St. Cecelia's.

A trying evening becomes considerably worse when she and the charming, impossible Simon Cross are accidentally locked in the bookvault, and a French actress turns up dead in the nave upstairs.

Eden is a witness. She may also be a suspect. And Inspector William Garrett, who has seen everything, has not quite seen anything like her.

Witty, vivid, and steeped in the textures of postwar English life, The Harlot of St. Cecelia's is a mystery that earns its place on your shelf through character: the people who loved the victim, the ones who didn't, and the ones who aren't quite sure.

A cozy mystery in the tradition of Dorothy Sayers, Jacqueline Winspear and Kerry Greenwood, this book is for readers who like: historical mysteries, intrepid heroines, morally grey charmers, and the golden age of detective fiction.

The first novel in the Garrett Mystery series.

Stacking the Shelves #102

 

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. Happy reading y'all!

Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the Wars of the Roses by Sarah Gristwood 

Kindle purchase: 49 cents with points

Goodreads says "The true story of Philippa Gregory's The White Queen" for the summary of this book. While I know some complain that Gregory's books  aren't historically accurate, this author's is because it is not historical fiction. It covers everyone in the Wars of the Roses from Anne Neville to Margaret Beaufort. I look forward to reading it and seeing what new things I uncover about all these women. 

Poison in Piccadilly by Kelly Oliver (A Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery Book Six)

Libby audiobook borrow: Free

This is the last book in the FIona Figg series. After that I'd like to begin Oliver's Agatha Christie series. These are fun to listen to in the car and while doing chores. I like the recurring characters and keep waiting to see if Fiona will ditch Archie for her much more charming and exciting nemesis, Fredrick Fredricks. Since this is the end of the series I know we are going to find out soon!

Emperor: The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden (Emperor Book One)

Kindle purchase: $1.99 

I enjoyed the first two books by Iggulden in the Wars of the Roses series and need to finish the other two. I grabbed this book because I want to eventually read a series about Rome and Julius Caesar even though it isn't my favorite subject. I just think I should try to learn something of that time period. Hopefully this series is good by a solid author. Learning in an entertaining way is my motto with most of my reading.

Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Grey Book One)

 

Publication Date:

September 30, 2003

Genre: 

Historical Fiction

Length:  

368 pages

Series:

Lord John Grey

Book description courtesy of Goodreads:

The year is 1757. On a clear morning in mid-June, Lord John Grey emerges from London’s Beefsteak Club, his mind in turmoil. A nobleman and a high-ranking officer in His Majesty’s Army, Grey has just witnessed something shocking. But his efforts to avoid a scandal that might destroy his family are interrupted by something more.... the Crown appoints him to investigate the brutal murder of a comrade in arms, who may have been a traitor.

Obliged to pursue two inquiries at once, Major Grey finds himself ensnared in a web of treachery and betrayal that touches every stratum of English society — and threatens all he holds dear. From the bawdy houses of London’s night-world to the stately drawing rooms of the nobility, and from the blood of a murdered corpse to the thundering seas ruled by the majestic fleet of the East India Company, Lord John pursues the elusive trails of a vanishing footman and a woman in green velvet, who may hold the key to everything — or nothing.

The early days of the Seven Years War come brilliantly to life in this historical mystery by an author whose unique and compelling storytelling has engrossed millions of readers worldwide.

My Thoughts:

This is the second read of this book for me. I read it years ago before I had my blog and my goal is to review all of Gabaldon's books eventually. I thought I really needed to re-read it to make sure I remembered it. I absolutely love the character of Lord John from the big Outlander books and am anxiously awaiting STARZ to get on it and give him a spinoff show already based on these books!! If you've not read any Outlander books I would not start with the Lord John ones. At least try to read the first three Outlander books because I just don't think I'd have appreciated these spinoffs without the background knowledge provided in the "originals." But if you are like me, you will fall in love with Lord John and want to know what he is up to in his own personal and military life.

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Case of the Christie Honeymoon Murder by Kelly Oliver (A Detection Club Mystery Book Five)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Case of the Christie Honeymoon Murder, by Kelly Oliver. I haven't started this series yet because I have one more mystery to finish from her Fiona Figg series. I think this book will be a lot of fun as Agatha Christie and her new husband, Max travel down the Nile amid politics and murder. 

Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery

September 26, 2026

Book description courtesy of Net Galley

Agatha Christie’s latest book, The Seven Dials, has set the literary world alight. With a new marriage to Max Mallowan and a honeymoon cruise down the Nile ahead, she’s looking forward to the trip of a lifetime. But the publication has also drawn the attention of the Secret Service, who have spotted strange coincidences within its pages.

When Eliza Baker, assistant to the secretary of the Detection Club, is asked to accompany Agatha Christie and her husband, she reluctantly agrees, determined to help clear her friend’s name. Yet her attention soon shifts to fellow passengers, the Hardwicke family, who are celebrating a daughter’s birthday aboard. And when a guest is found dead in his cabin, the idyllic voyage takes a deadly turn.

As the steamer drifts upriver, Eliza and Theo must sift through polite smiles and private grievances to find the truth. Can Eliza and Theo uncover the truth before the Nile claims its next victim?

Stacking the Shelves #101

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. Happy reading y'all!

The Big Four by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot Book Five)

Libby: Borrow, free audiobook

I have really neglected Agatha Christie this year. So it's time to get back into the latest Poirot book. I have enjoyed listening to her books while commuting or doing chores and so this one was next in line. Unfortunately, I've read nearly all the books for Read Christie 2026 so this one is not on that list. It was originally a series published in the paper and then cobbled together into a book. Looking forward to catching up with Poirot and Hastings in this very different book about espionage. 

The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer by Ian Mortimer 

Hoopla Digital: Borrow, Free

I have always been fascinated by the marcher families in medieval times. The Mortimers are part of that story and so this looked interesting. Ian Mortimer is known for being a great researcher and although I may not read every single page I'm sure I will get the gist of his life. And it's free with Hoopla so win win!

Anna Komnene and the Alexiad: The Byzantine Princess and the First Crusade by Ioulia Kolovou

Kindle purchase: $2.99 this week

Anna Komnene is remarkable for her time. She is a rare woman, being the only Byzantine female historian and modern researchers are lucky to have her material to draw from even a thousand years later. I heard a lot about her when I was listening to the History of the Crusades podcast years ago. This book caught my eye because it was on sale this week and I haven't seen many books about her life before.