They Came To Baghdad by Agatha Christie

 

Publication Date:

March 5, 1951

Genre:  

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

368 pages

Series:  None

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

She fell head over heels for the charming young man one afternoon. And by nightfall, Victoria Jones had conspired to follow him to Baghdad.

But no daydream of love could match the real life adventure that unfolded: a stranger was stabbed in her bed, someone issued a hushed warning, and her rival for Edward's affections neatly arranged her kidnapping. From the steamy Arab marketplace to the vast and arid desert, Victoria was pursued by an unknown power that threatened not only her, but the fate of the entire world.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this one! It was more of a thriller/spy book and it didn't feel like a true Christie mystery. But it was fast paced and the main character, Victoria, was fantastic. She had spirit, was both funny and sometimes naive and I was sad to say goodbye to her. When it was over I was wishing she was a recurring character in other books but I don't think so.

The setting was also well described and I appreciated the local characters and the way Christie described some of their ways, how they thought and behaved differently from Western culture. 

The first half of the book unfolds with her just getting to Baghdad and the why behind her visit. I really did see through some of the red herrings early on and in the second half quickly figured out who the main villains were. But it didn't matter because I was loving seeing the story of Victoria's kidnapping and realization that she is part of a much larger world plot. She just keeps plugging along and doesn't lose her wits despite being faced with so much danger.

I thought reading this that Christie nailed some true sentiments not as likely to be discussed in her time, especially by the non-political person. She talks about people who think they are smarter than everyone else and have the right to direct their lives for their own good. And how that is the worst kind of evil. She says they have lost all brotherhood and humanity. Great observation.

I wish she'd written a few more like this one. The Tommy and Tuppence mysteries are probably the closest to them and I really like those. If you like spy type mysteries you will love They Came To Baghdad.

Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie (Read Christie November 2025 Selection) Hercule Poirot Book 36

 

Publication Date:

November 2, 1959

Genre:  

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

352 pages

Series: 

Hercule Poirot

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Late one night, two teachers investigate a mysterious light in the school Sports Pavilion. Among the tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks, they find the body of the unpopular games mistress – shot through the heart. Schoolgirl Julia Upjohn knows too much, and begins to worry that she might be the next victim. Can detective Hercule Poirot find the killer before the ‘cat’ strikes again?

My Thoughts:

I was intrigued by the title of this book before I even started reading it. It sounded sinister and a good title for a mystery. The first part concerns a fictional Middle Eastern city, Ramut, in which there is a revolution going on. Two men end up dying in a plane crash and one of them decides to hide a stash of gems in a place only very few would know to look. It makes for a cliffhanger beginning and I definitely wanted to continue. I like novels and mysteries that make you a bit confused in the beginning as then there's much to figure out as you go.

The story then shifts to three months later at an English boarding school where we become involved in the day to day lives of student Jennifer and her friend Julia, as well as the staff. There are a vast array of characters so I won't list them all but I did have to work hard to keep everyone straight. This was complicated at times.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murder at Midwinter Farm by Helena Dixon (A Kitty Underhay Mystery Book 22)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Murder at Midwinter Farm, by Helena Dixon. Such a gorgeous cover and it has all that winter vibe going for it. I think it will be a great addition for a December/holiday read. 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

November 24, 2025

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

A frosty country lane, snow dusted Devon hills as far as the eye can see… and a local farmer vanished without trace. Can Kitty Underhay solve this chilling mystery?

Devon, 1937. Kitty Underhay is enjoying a crisp winter morning walk with her best friend, Alice, and her fiancé, Robert, who have recently bought the mysterious Midwinter Farm. The previous owner vanished one night, his dinner still on the table and the front door left wide open. But as work is carried out on the farm, a body is found on the grounds. How was the man murdered? And who is responsible?

Robert trusts the local police even less than Kitty does, so she is immediately on the case, with her husband Matt by her side. As the pair take the bull by the horns and begin to gather clues, several suspects emerge. Though he seems gentle as a lamb, is the victim’s son as innocent as he appears? Why does the local pub landlord have an axe to grind, and does his daughter seem suspicious?

The waters become muddied by a robbery, with valuable jewels stolen at neighbouring Seacliffe Hall. Is the thief also the murderer Kitty is looking for? Or are the two crimes entirely unconnected?

With the weak winter sun setting over the fields and danger mounting fast, Kitty and Matt need to find the killer, before they meet their own icy end in the dead of winter.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Queens at War: England's Medieval Queens by Alison Weir (Book Four)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Queens at War: England's Medieval Queens, by Alison Weir. I have read the first two books in this series. Weir is a superb historian and storyteller. This book features the queens from the 1400's who found themselves caught up in the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses. This includes Joan of Navarre, Katherine of Valois, Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Anne Neville. I can’t wait to read it. 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

History/Medieval History

December 2, 2025

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

Triumph and tragedy, love and loss, murder and malice in the lives of five fifteenth-century queens. The fifteenth century was a turbulent the Hundred Years War between England and France, and the Wars of the Roses dominated the lives of people both inside and out of the royal courts.

Joan of Navarre, Katherine of Valois, Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Wydeville and Anne Neville were the queens who stood by England's sovereigns, caught up in wars that changed the course of their lives, and the course of history. They were also formidable women who defied the limitations of their times, often living out the brutal consequences of their determination.

Alison Weir uncovers their stories in this final volume of her ground-breaking series on the queens of medieval England. Queens at War is a stunning culmination of research by a historian at the full extent of her powers and gripping account of five women on the throne.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly (An Emma Knightley Mystery Book Two)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Murder at Donwell Abbey, by Vanessa Kelly. It looks adorable, featuring the character Emma from the beloved Jane Austen books. Combining a classic with a beautiful cover and cozy mystery with a Christmas/winter vibe is my cup of tea. I have yet to read book one but will have to find it first. Or maybe not! I might just read this one for a December book.

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

Historical Mystery/Cozy Mystery

November 25, 2025

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

In this latest Regency era mystery, Jane Austen’s clever Emma Knightley navigates shocking changes in her family, while meeting her match in a deadly adversary.

Emma’s spirits are elevated after she and husband George Knightley host a joyful holiday celebration at the Hartfield estate. But it’s instantly a bitter January when her father makes an unexpected announcement. He and Miss Hetty Bates have decided to marry. Not only must Emma relinquish her role as mistress of the household, but she must also accept the reality that the excitable Miss Bates will become her stepmother.

More unwanted news arrives during an extravagant betrothal ball at Donwell Abbey, the grand Knightley estate where Emma and George will soon permanently reside. Nearly every villager in Highbury revels in the dazzling affair, except Emma’s hardworking lady’s maid, Prudence Parr. To Emma’s horror, Prudence is found dead, sprawled across the stones of the library terrace.

The woman’s tragic fall is quickly ruled a terrible accident and whispers circulate around personal troubles leading up to her untimely demise. But Emma’s instincts tell her that something far more sinister is at play. Now, Highbury’s matchmaker turned sleuth vows to outwit a cunning criminal before an innocent man loses his freedom, or Donwell Abbey plunges into a darker mystery.

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Holly Village Murders by Benedict Brown (A Marius Quin Mystery Book Six)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Holly Village Murders, by Benedict Brown. I have yet to start this series and this is the "cozy Christmas mystery" one. I really am enjoying the other series by Brown, Lord Edgington Investigates. I have no doubt this one is great too. 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

Historical Mystery/Cozy Mystery

November 10, 2025

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

The snow falls, carolers sing, and a killer plots his next move.

London, 1928. Marius Quin and Lady Bella Montague are ready for a quiet Christmas when they learn that Bella’s beloved Aunt Adele has met a shocking end in her picture-perfect cottage. Immediately heading for Holly Village, the enclave of retired aristocrats and eccentric pensioners where Adele lived, they discover that her death was far from natural.

The dead woman’s priceless Manet painting has vanished, and a cryptic note she left hints at scandalous goings-on among her neighbors. When another resident is murdered during the village Christmas party, it’s clear that a devious killer is preying on the sleepy community. Marius and Bella must navigate a web of village intrigue, false identities, and long-buried scandals to stop this from being a Christmas to remember for all the wrong reasons.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Radiance and Revenge by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe (A Diamond of the Ton Regency Mystery Book 3)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Radiance and Revenge, by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe. This series takes place in London in the Regency era with a Lord and Duchess who are involved in "a tangled web of espionage, revenge, and political sabotage. This book will end the series and resolve the love triangle, hopefully with a happy ending.

This author has a great newsletter you can sign up for to know what is going on with her new books, and, if possible, receive advance copies. 

 https://lynnmorrisonwriter.com/ 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

Historical Mysteries/ Regency Mysteries

October 30, 2025

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

A royal threat. A dangerous love. A feud that refuses to die.

After enduring the court’s suspicion, Lord Peregrine Fitzroy has finally earned back his standing—and Charity’s heart. But the arrival of her family in London threatens to reopen old wounds and reignite a bitter feud that once made their love impossible.

Charity, Duchess Atholl, is ready to stand beside the man who was once her enemy. Yet just as they begin to build a future together, foreign royals descend on London with secrets, schemes—and ties to a powerful adversary thought to be in hiding. Determined to uncover who is harbouring their most dangerous enemy, the couple is drawn into a tangled web of espionage, revenge, and political sabotage..

As whispers swirl of a plot to upend the royal succession, Peregrine and Charity must outwit an opponent who knows exactly how to strike where it hurts most. Loyalties will be tested. One misstep could cost them their love, their lives—or the crown itself.

Note Worthy News: The History of England Podcast is back!

 

David Crowther's History of England podcast is the first one I ever listened to. It is very special to me. He is witty and super knowledgeable and taught me all the particulars about each stage of history in England from the Anglo Saxon period on. He admits when he is biased and does it all with humor. He has been on a hiatus for several months and this week has picked up with all new episodes. 

Season 9, Episode 1 (432A overall) begins with the Sun King, Louis XIV of France. He starts with French culture and its domination of European culture at that time. This is why I appreciate his show....I know almost nothing about this time period, or how anything affected anything...so when he starts here, I get the necessary background knowledge to move ahead and it makes my learning more interesting and easy. History buffs like me always want that little "extra" he gives! And being American there is always a lot I definitely don't know.

Crowther started in his shed (he still calls his work area "The Shed") on his private property just doing his thing (and sometimes his children joined him) and now has a successful show teaching us all about the history of his country. Both the website and his Facebook page also have fun things to explore, like places he visits while on vacations, challenges, and a ton of resources.

Recently I took part in his "who was the greatest Welsh ruler of all time" and it was fun if you love learning more about Wales. He and his Welsh born friend went through different stages of Welsh history and had listeners vote. Of course, Llywelyn the Great won!

You can surf some for free or choose to subscribe to other sections of the website for a yearly fee and have access to more shows like The History of Scotland.

I love promoting my favorite podcasters and so I'm excited to announce his return. It should be a fun filled fall/winter with all new episodes taking us through the mid-1600's and beyond. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murder Most British by Helena Dixon (The Secret Detective Agency Book 3)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Murder Most British, by Helena Dixon. I have featured this series before but have yet to read it. Her other series with Kitty Underhay as the heroine started off cute and I have read the first one, Murder at the Dolphin Hotel. 

Murder Most British takes place in 1941 during WW II which is typically not my favorite era to read but this series looks cute. Jane Treen investigates murders with codebreaker Arthur Cilento as they also navigate the drama of the war around them. Another fun cozy series I'd like to read. 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for! Happy reading ya'll!

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mysteries

November 6 , 2025

Book description courtesy of GoodReads

Big Ben chiming in the distance, chilly walks along the river Thames, cocktails at the Ritz… and a government secretary dead? Only Jane Treen can solve the case!

London, 1941. Miss Jane Treen is faced with another mysterious disappearance within her Secret Detective Agency’s team. Tabitha Moore, a government typist, was on her way to meet Jane with vital information about some secret codes. But she didn’t turn up for work and has seemingly vanished without a trace. Then Jane and her colleague, handsome codebreaker Arthur Cilento, find a body has been found, and it matches Tabitha’s description.

It quickly becomes clear that Tabitha’s death was not due to ongoing air raids as the the silk scarf tied tightly around her neck suggests otherwise. The prime suspect is Tabitha’s fiancé Leo Cavendish, a dashing government official, but there are plenty of others with a motive too. Jane and Arthur scrutinize those around Tabitha at work and at home, including a charming newsreader reporting on government affairs, a jealous pianist in love with Leo, and a known womanizer and gambler fond of causing trouble.

Together, Jane, Arthur and her fluffy ginger cat Marmaduke hole up in her London townhouse, with black coffee in plentiful supply and a roaring fire in the grate. But just as they begin to piece together the puzzle, someone else is found dead. It’s clear they need to step up and catch the killer on the loose in the big smoke, before it’s their turn next.

Bethlehem Road by Anne Perry (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Book Ten)

 

Publication Date:

June 1, 1990

Genre:  

Historical Mysteries

Length:   

 313 pages

Series: 

Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The gentleman tied to the lamppost on Westminster Bridge is most elegantly attired --- fresh boutonniere, silk hat, white evening scarf --- and he is quite, quite dead, as a result of his thoroughly cut throat.

Why should anyone kill Sir Lockwood Hamilton, that kindest of family men and most conscientious member of Parliament? Before Inspector Thomas Pitt can even speculate on the reasons, a colleague of Sir Lockwood's meets the same fate in the same spot.

Public indignation is boundless, and clever Charlotte Pitt, Thomas's well-born wife, can't resist helping her hard-pressed husband, scouting society's drawing rooms for clues to these appalling crimes. Meanwhile, the Westminster Bridge Cutthroat stalks still another victim ...

My Thoughts

I have gotten to know the main characters in this series well over the years. There are a lot of books in the Pitt series (32!) and so I always remain behind. But when I start a new book it is like being with old friends. I was excited to check in and see what the Pitts are up to.

The London community is living in fear. Prominent members of Parliament are being attacked and it is not as easy to shrug off this time as it is when the poor people who live in the shadows are normally the victims of brutal crimes. No, these are wealthy, powerful men, found with their throats slit and hanging from a bridge used by all classes of citizens. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Murder at the Royal Palace by Verity Bright ( A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 23)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, Murder at the Royal Palace by Verity Bright. This is book 23 in this series and continues the adventures of Eleanor, her butler Clifford, and her dog Gladstone. This time they are invited to the palace to see Eleanor's husband knighted but of course get involved in another set of murders. Always a fun time!

Cozy Mysteries

 September 30, 2025

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Lady Eleanor Swift has a special royal invitation. She’s got just the right dress and the perfect plus one… But wait! Is that a body by the throne?

Lady Eleanor Swift is at Buckingham Palace to see her new husband, Detective Chief Inspector Seldon, knighted. Brimming with pride, all she can hope is that Gladstone the bulldog behaves himself in front of the king.

But the happy day is overshadowed when Dilly Dalrymple, a royal guard from the Tower of London, tragically dies. The head of the royal police asks Eleanor and Hugh to investigate – unofficially. This is her first clue that there’s more to the story…

Donning a disguise as a journalist for a well-to-do magazine, Eleanor, with butler Clifford posing as her photographer, is invited to stay in the Tower amongst the remaining guards and their families. She wasn’t expecting gossiping wives, affairs aplenty and talk of long-lost treasure! Was Dilly killed to settle an old score or was he perhaps a little too close to someone else’s wife?

But when another soldier is murdered at midnight, hours after the gates are locked, Eleanor knows she needs to keep her wits about her… And when everyone seems to have a reason to lie, can Eleanor dig up the truth before it’s her head next?

At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie (Miss Marple Book 10) Read Christie Selection September 2025

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1965

Genre:  

Cozy Mysteries/Historical Mysteries

Length:   

 223 pages

Series: 

Miss Marple

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

This old-fashioned London hotel may not be quite as reputable as it makes out! When Miss Marple comes up from the country for a holiday in London, she finds what she's looking for at Bertram's: traditional décor and impeccable service. But she senses an unmistakable atmosphere of danger behind the highly polished veneer. Not even Miss Marple can foresee the violent chain of events set in motion when an eccentric hotel guest makes his way to the airport one day late.

My Thoughts

I thought it was a bit of a stretch to call this a Miss Marple mystery. She is not in the story very much and her usual expertise in solving the mystery is not in depth. Rather, I think she is there more to be the one who slowly realizes the hotel is not old world charming but rather sinister and jaded. In that respect, her character shines through. But she is not in the novel enough to be as memorable as the other Marple mysteries I've read. 

Bertram's Hotel is pitched as an old style, full service hotel that aims to please its patrons by being a classic London lodging of old. Everyone assumes there is nothing going on but the usual. As the story unfolds we get glimpses of things not being quite right. Shady dealings and train robberies add to the confusion and make the story suspenseful and exciting. The seeming disappearance of a hotel guest and their fate are unexpected and add a lot to the drama; I didn't guess what was actually happening to him at all!

Most of the time we hear from the detectives on the case. Their thoughts, interviews, etc. This felt more like a Hercule Poirot type of story in that respect. It was enjoyable and I came to like the character of Inspector Davy, even though he didn't spend a lot of time with Miss Marple.

The story was unique and worth reading even though I wished we'd seen more of her. Unlike other Christie novels, this one didn't focus as much on murder as it did other crimes but that was a nice change. This one definitely stands out as a departure from her typical mysteries. 

Victoria Victorious: The Story of Queen Victoria by Jean Plaidy (Queens of England Book 3)

 

Publication Date:

January 1972-1976 (Individual books)

Condensed paperback: May 2005

Genre:  

Historical Fiction/Adventure

Length:   

560 pages

Series: 

Queens of England

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

In this unforgettable novel of Queen Victoria, Jean Plaidy re-creates a remarkable life filled with romance, triumph, and tragedy.

At birth, Princess Victoria was fourth in line for the throne of England, the often-overlooked daughter of a prince who died shortly after her birth. She and her mother lived in genteel poverty for most of her childhood, exiled from court because of her mother’s dislike of her uncles, George IV and William IV. A strong, willful child, Victoria was determined not to be stifled by her powerful uncles or her unpopular, controlling mother. Then one morning, at the age of eighteen, Princess Victoria awoke to the news of her uncle William’s death. The almost-forgotten princess was now Queen of England. Even better, she was finally free of her mother’s iron hand and her uncles’ manipulations. Her first act as queen was to demand that she be given a room—and a bed—of her own.

Victoria’s marriage to her German cousin, Prince Albert, was a blissfully happy one that produced nine children. Albert was her constant companion and one of her most trusted advisors. Victoria’s grief after Prince Albert’s untimely death was so shattering that for the rest of her life—nearly forty years—she dressed only in black. She survived several assassination attempts, and during her reign England’s empire expanded around the globe until it touched every continent in the world.

Derided as a mere “girl queen” at her coronation, by the end of her sixty-four-year reign, Victoria embodied the glory of the British Empire. In this novel, written as a “memoir” by Victoria herself, she emerges as truthful, sentimental, and essentially human—both a lovable woman and a great queen.

My Thoughts

I read this series of books in my early twenties and later a publisher decided to take all the individual books Plaidy had written about Queen Victoria and condense them into one trade paperback. The dates on the books run from the early 70's and of course Plaidy was not alive to see this paperback published. It is in my opinion one of the best versions of her books and wonderful for anyone who loves learning about Queen Victoria, especially without the tediousness of a straight history book read. This one and the one about Queen Elizabeth I are probably my favorite so far of all her books. I am trying to read all of her books eventually,  but this one just had to be re-read. When school starts and I'm super busy and tired I love to pick up books I've loved and can read again.

The Goodreads summary tells you all you need to know about the book, but I will add my two cents worth! This book follows historical accuracy in great detail (I have read soooo much about her so I can usually spot something that seems embellished) and her personal interactions with her husband, children, grandchildren, Prime Ministers, and relatives. I love how it is written like a diary and we really get to know her through her personal point of view. The early years were especially interesting to me, seeing how her Mother and others used her and controlled her until she came of age and bravely shut them out immediately. It must have taken a lot of courage at only eighteen years old to do this. A lot of material on her starts with her reign and so I appreciated how we get to see it all from her childhood on. 

Plaidy does not paint her as a saint, she is very human, with faults we all have: selfishness, self-pitying sometimes, and needy. But we also come away amazed at her ability to lead from a young age on, and although extremely devoted to Albert, she did push back when necessary.

The book reads like a novel and I feel is wonderful for someone who knows absolutely nothing about her all the way to those of us who can practically recite her life story. You will get caught up in it and be unable to put it down. 

Crouchback: The Welsh Guard Mysteries, Volume 1 by Sarah Woodbury

 

Publication Date:

November 14, 2019

Genre:  

Historical Fiction/Adventure

Length:   

331 pages 

Series: The Welsh Guard Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

April 1284. As a newly widowed lady-in-waiting to the very pregnant Queen Eleanor of England, Catrin never expected to return to Wales again. She was definitely unprepared to be confronted with murder when she got there--or to find herself face-to-face with Rhys, the childhood friend she lost twenty years before. Rhys had never intended to return home either, but a lifetime of war has deposited him right back where he started--impoverished and owing service to Catrin's older brother.

With Wales having fallen irrevocably to England, and fearful of trusting anyone within the English court of King Edward, Catrin and Rhys join forces against the treachery and intrigue rife within the half-built Caernarfon Castle. And when the murderer strikes again, the task before them becomes increasingly clear: catch the killer, certainly, but also protect their people from a future that is becoming more dangerous and uncertain with every day that passes.
Crouchback is the first book in The Welsh Guard Mysteries.

My Thoughts

I've had this book in my Kindle for awhile and just forgot. I have so many mysteries it just got overlooked. But when I went back and read the description it sounded interesting and original, and I love all things with Wales as the setting. The characters also being placed during the reign of Edward ! made it especially appealing to me. I'm trying to learn more about this time period already.

The mystery is well veiled and is a good story. So is the history the author weaves into the book. I learned a lot about how the Welsh must have felt having been conquered and subdued by King Edward at this point. Rhys and Catrin being a part of both worlds was a good way to let the reader in on the authentic conflict going on at the time: bow to reality and practicality to stay alive and acknowledge England as the ruling force or fight back and end up in misery and fear but with your conscience intact concerning your loyalty to your homeland. This is the running theme throughout the story as the pair seek to find out who is killing and leaving mysterious signs of a possible cult on the bodies or somewhere nearby. I also learned the true meaning of "Crouchback." This is the symbol for someone who has been on Crusade.

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

 

Publication Date:

November 24, 2009

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Adventure

Length:   312 pages 

Series: Standalone book

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Jamaica in 1665 is a rough outpost of the English crown, a minor colony holding out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, Jamaica′s capital, a cut-throat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses, is devoid of London′s luxuries; life here can end swiftly with dysentery or a dagger in your back. But for Captain Charles Hunter it is a life that can also lead to riches, if he abides by the island′s code. In the name of His Majesty King Charles II of England, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking. And law in the New World is made by those who take it into their hands.

Word in port is that the Spanish treasure galleon El Trinidad, fresh from New Spain, is stalled in nearby Matanceros harbor awaiting repairs. Heavily fortified, the impregnable Spanish outpost is guarded by the blood-swiller Cazalla, a favorite commander of King Philip IV himself. With the governor′s backing, Hunter assembles a roughneck crew to infiltrate the enemy island and commandeer the galleon, along with its fortune in Spanish gold. The raid is as perilous as the bloody legends of Matanceros suggest, and Hunter will lose more than one man before he finds himself on the island′s shores, where dense jungle and the firepower of Spanish infantry are all that stand between him and the treasure.

With the help of his cunning crew, Hunter hijacks El Trinidad and escapes the deadly clutches of Cazalla, leaving plenty of carnage in his wake. But his troubles have just begun. 

My Thoughts

When I end the school year in May my mind automatically turns to all things beach! I want to go on a cruise, sit in the sand and sun and I also love reading about all things beach and pirates. Another blogger reviewed this book and I remembered how I'd started it years ago and never finished it. So when my mind shifted to "summer mode" I knew I wanted to go back and read it and review it. I had NO idea it was based on a real story and real person. When I found out I was shocked and pleased because I love books even more when they are about real historical people. 

I loved the way the author switched between Jamaica and the things going on with the Governor and the aristocracy and the pirates. The crew assembled to retrieve the Spanish treasure was an assortment of interesting characters, some real and some fictional. I thought the pacing of the story was done well in that it moved along quickly but also had enough time to elaborate on suspense and the voyage itself. Yes, I agree there was every imaginable "trope" you'd find as in a movie or show like Black Sails but I really thought it all fit together well. You had the female pirate whom everyone fears, the female captive who needs rescuing, the threat of hurricanes and Krakens, etc. But somehow it made the story fun! No I don't believe this all happened and it is fiction after all, but it was well written and I learned a lot about just how they would have attacked a ship twice their size with a much larger crew, not to mention how they pulled off the actual seizing of the treasure from Matanceros. 

Having read some of Crichton's other works a long time ago, I get how those who love him thought this was an extreme departure of his writing style. Maybe so, but this was a great adventure and I loved it. If you like pirates, treasure hunting, suspenseful battle scenes, and a main character who is flawed but you also find yourself rooting for, you will enjoy this book. I honestly wish he'd written another one in this setting with another pirate adventure. The author's note at the end telling what happened to the real characters is fascinating and made me want to delve into the real life of Captain Charles Hunter. Great summer read here!

The Thistle and the Rose by Jean Plaidy (The Tudor Princesses) Tudor Saga Book Eight

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1963

Genre: Historical Fiction

Length:   320 pages 

Series: The Tudor Princesses; Tudor Saga Book Eight

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

From the pen of the legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy comes the story of Princess Margaret Tudor, whose life of tragedy, bloodshed, and scandal would rival even that of her younger brother, Henry VIII.

Princess Margaret Tudor is the greatest prize when her father, Henry VII, negotiates the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with neighboring Scotland. The betrothal is meant to end decades of bloody border wars, but it becomes a love match: To Margaret’s surprise, she finds joy in her marriage to the dashing James IV of Scotland, a man sixteen years her senior. But the marriage, and the peace it brings to both nations, does not last. When King James is struck down by the armies of Henry VIII, Margaret—Princess of England, but Queen of Scotland—finds herself torn between loyalty to the land and family of her birth and to that of her baby son, now King of the Scots. She decides to remain in Scotland and carve out her own destiny, surviving a scandalous second marriage and battling with both her son and her brother to the very end. Like all the Tudors, Margaret’s life would be one of turmoil and controversy, but through her descendants, England and Scotland would unite as one nation, under one rule, and find peace.

My Thoughts:

Having read this years ago it isn't a new read for me but a re-read. I would like to read and review all of Jean Plaidy's books someday but that is quite a lofty goal. She was a prolific writer and greatly influenced my love of historical fiction. I was resistant to that genre until I discovered her books in my early 20's. This one about Margaret Tudor was one of my all time favorites. Although fairly short and straight forward it is nevertheless packed with history, depth of character, and accuracy. We get such great insight into Scottish politics and Margaret's transformation from young, naive girl to warrior queen, fighting for her family.

The summary above pretty much tells the jist of the story. I felt sorry for her in the beginning. She is so young, just thirteen when she marries James IV of Scotland and wants to please her parents, Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. She is overshadowed by the men in the family of course as they are the heirs to the English throne but as women always were, she is used to shore up an alliance with Scotland. She braves a new home, scheming in laws and fights to stay in the lives of her children. When James is killed in 1513 at the Battle of Flodden, she becomes regent for her son.  As she matures and comes into her own she becomes more hardened and disillusioned but resolute in her will to pave her own way as best she can as a woman in the 16th century. 

I really enjoyed this book and want to continue with the Stuart series by Plaidy. The book about Margaret's sister Mary is also excellent, telling her story as Queen of France and then the wife of Charles Brandon. 

I might add that it is really hard to find good books on both Margaret and Mary because they are so overlooked being the siblings of Henry VIII. So if you want to get a good grasp on what was going on at court during the time of all the Henry drama these are a good "side" to add to more knowledge of the time. Plaidy does a great job of showing the relationship between the girls and their domineering brother who clearly adored them but had to also contend with his place as heir to England.