The Bastard by John Jakes (Kent Family Chronicles Book One)

 

Publication Date:

September 1, 1974

Genre: 

Historical Fiction

Length:  

528 pages

Series:

Kent Family Chronicles

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Meet Phillipe Charboneau: the illegitimate son and unrecognized heir of the Duke of Kentland. Upon the Duke's death, Phillipe is denied his birthright and left to build a life of his own. Seeking all that the New World promises, he leaves London for America, shedding his past and preparing for the future by changing his name to Philip Kent. He arrives at the brink of the American Revolution, which tests his allegiances in ways he never imagined. The first volume of John Jakes's wildly successful and highly addictive Kent Family Chronicles, The Bastard is a triumph of historical fiction.

My Thoughts:

I had forgotten how much I love John Jakes. And for most people their favorite series is his trilogy about the Civil War, North and South. I think the Kent Family Chronicles are far better and am wondering why on earth I have not finished them? I still have to read books 7 and 8. So they are definitely on my TBR list for this year. The Bastard I read years ago so this was a re-read for me but I'll admit I didn't read it super thoroughly the second time around. I am going back through them and reviewing them in preparation for the last two books. 

In this story we are introduced to Phillip Kent who has changed his very English name for a more American one. He is the patriarch of the subsequent stories and his family along with others will be followed throughout the series. Jakes does a great job of showing messy character flaws in his protagonists while also making you want to see them succeed. With Kent, we get to see the how and why of the American rebellion unfold and how it wasn't as easily had as we like to think today looking back in hindsight. 

There are multiple side stories, romance, battles....just about everyone will find something they like. It isn't just war focused but also focuses on the politics of how things came about. The emphasis on the family allows for drama as well, meaning you won't be bored if you are like me and don't want just military focused content. 

I loved knowing that it was just the beginning of the story of America, the Kent family, and historical accuracy. With this series I know Jakes wanted to honor American history and teach people about it in an entertaining way. He does a great job and the reading is easy enough for younger people, although there are some racy parts so I'd say older teens are fine but not any younger for a target audience. 

If you want to dive into a family saga with many twists and turns and learn some wonderful history along the way you will love this first book in a long series story. Jakes takes you all the way to the end of the 19th century.

Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy (Tudor Saga Book Nine)

 

Publication Date:

January 1, 1964

Genre: 

Historical Fiction

Length:  

305 pages

Series:

Tudor Saga/Tudor Princesses

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy brings to life the story of Princess Mary Tudor, a celebrated beauty and born rebel who would defy the most powerful king in Europe--her older brother.

Princess Mary Rose is the youngest sister of Henry VIII, and one of the few people whom he adores unconditionally. Known throughout Europe for her charm and good looks, Mary is the golden child of the Tudor family and is granted her every wish.

Except when it comes to marriage. Henry VIII, locked in a political showdown with France, decides to offer up his pampered baby sister to secure peace between the two mighty kingdoms. Innocent, teenage Mary must become the wife of the elderly King Louis, a toothless, ailing man in his sixties. Horrified and furious, Mary has no choice but to sail for France. There she hones her political skills, bides her time, and remains secretly in love with Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk. When King Louis dies after only two years of marriage, Mary is determined not to be sold into another unhappy union. She must act quickly; if she wants to be with the man she truly loves, she must defy the laws of church and state by marrying without her brother's permission. Together, Mary and Charles devise a scheme to outwit the most ruthless king in Europe and gain their hearts' desire, not knowing if it will lead to marital bliss or certain death.

My Thoughts

Anyone who reads my blog knows I'm a huge Jean Plaidy fan. She takes historical figures and stories and presents them in a straightforward, entertaining way that gets to the point while humanizing the subject. This story about Mary Tudor, (not Queen Mary Tudor) sister of Henry VIII is a great example of her including people that rarely get their own story told. It is a short book because Mary is overshadowed by others of that era but her story is fascinating in its own right and worth reading about.

I knew very little about Mary except that she was very beautiful, was much beloved by her older brother, King Henry VIII and that despite that she was forced into marriage with the very old King of France for political reasons. Her story was very compelling though due to the fact that she went against Henry to later marry her true love, Charles Brandon. Considering all we know about her brother that was a true act of bravery. 

I had forgotten she was also the grandmother of Lady Jane Grey, the tragic nine days queen and that she supported the Catherine of Aragon camp, disliking Anne Boleyn.

The book is very straightforward and no secret information you couldn't find online but Plaidy always finds a way to make it feel like a special, exciting novel. That is what I love....learning history in a personal way. If you want to learn about medieval royalty in a romantic, storylike way you will love this book. The one about her sister Margaret is similiar and another favorite of mine. It is called The Thistle and the Rose. 

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany by Vivian Conroy (Miss Ashford Investigates Book Three)

 

Publication Date:

April 13, 2023

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

369 pages

Series:

Miss Ashford Investigates

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

An escape to Tuscany
An unexpected invitation
A murder at midnight…

When novice detective Atalanta Ashford is whisked away to Italy by her friend, race car driver Raoul Lemont, she anticipates a happy holiday under the Tuscan sun. But a chance meeting on the Orient Express with Italian heiress Catharina Lanetti leads to a party invitation…and front row seats for a mysterious murder.

With their new friend under suspicion Atalanta and Raoul set to work trying to discover who really murdered Catharina’s father. But with more than half a dozen suspects – all with compelling motives – Atalanta may just be facing her toughest case yet.

My Thoughts

This was book three in a really cute cozy series set in locations I love. The characters of Atalanta and Raoul have grown on me enough to keep going with the stories. In this one, the author did a better job than book two of creating an authentic Italian feel including the food, countryside, and hot headed Italian family vibe. There were a lot of references to the Borgia family and although I already know a good deal about them as a history lover, those that don't will find those parts interesting and might end up reading more about the family. 

The murder mystery was exciting and the storyline interesting as we find out more about Catharina and her brothers. Each is set to inherit the family fortune but split in ways no one is happy with. Set in wine country in a sprawling country home, there is a great Tuscan atmosphere with an overbearing, cruel Patriarch who plays everyone he meets against each other. When he winds up dead there are many suspects. Atalanta and Raoul, having been invited to the party are determined to find out what happened. Atalanta, already a seasoned detective is well equipped for the task. And Raoul has always managed to be alongside her when she stumbles on a new crime. 

As they dig further, they find a hidden backstory within the family that connects it all. It seems Catharina's parents have kept many secrets and the new revelations cause the whole family to be turned upside down. With tensions rising, the siblings become more heated with each other and determined to claim their share of what they think is their father's will. Atalanta and Raoul want to clear their new friend's name, but proving she isn't the killer will prove more difficult than they think. Local police seem to be going down the wrong track so it is up to them to find out the truth. 

I really enjoyed this one and it was fun having the two main characters ride on the Orient Express. That was a nice touch. I'll definitely be continuing with this series in 2026!

The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie (Read Christie 2025 December Selection)

 

Publication Date:

1931

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

288 pages

Series:

None

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The Sittaford Mystery is Dame Agatha at her most intriguing, as a séance in a snowbound house predicts a particularly grisly murder. 

In a remote house in the middle of Dartmoor, six shadowy figures huddle around a table for a seance. Tension rises as the spirits spell out a chilling message: "Captain Trevelyan . . . dead . . . murder."

Is this black magic or simply a macabre joke? The only way to be certain is to locate Captain Trevelyan. Unfortunately, his home is six miles away and, with snowdrifts blocking the roads, someone will have to make the journey on foot.

My Thoughts

This story is a stand alone, no Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot this time. It was also published under another name in America, The Murder At Hazelmoor. It seems like back in the day the general public was obsessed with seances and boards and the supernatural even more than today. So this story being written in 1931 it's no surprise that it is a feature. When Captain Trevelyan's friends participate in one, declaring him dead, they want to check on him to be sure it's harmless. Major Burnaby makes the long, snowy trek and finds out it isn't all fun and games. 

Trevelyan's nephew's fiance Emily Trefusis quickly becomes the main character in that she spends most of the novel trying to find out who would want Captain Trevelyn dead and why. Her fiance, James has been arrested for the murder and she wants to get to the truth. A newspaper journalist, Charles helps her along with Inspector Narracott. 

I can't say this was my favorite novel, although I liked Emily and Charles and was rooting for them. There was a lot of well played misdirection as usual and it got pretty complicated for awhile with many new characters. I found myself getting a little bored halfway through though and had to really focus hard to finish. I think I just had this sense that we were getting a lot of useless clues and the ending proved me correct in that I don't think the culprit or murder plot took up much time to explain. It didn't involve most of the people mentioned and was not super detailed. At least that was my impression the last few pages. 

This was a good winter read for setting in that it was cold and snowy and definitely felt like a December or January book. It probably isn't on of hers I'd re-read though.

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot Book #37)

Publication Date:

October 24, 1960

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

65 pages

Series:

Hercule Poirot

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

In Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding,” Poirot is asked to attend a Christmas celebration in order to apprehend a jewel-thief who has taken advantage of an unwary eastern prince. Full of English holiday tradition and plenty of intrigue, this holiday tale first appeared in the December 12, 1923 issue of The Sketch magazine.

My Thoughts

Halfway through this short story I realized I knew it sounded familiar! I'd seen the TV episode on Prime on Poirot. It was a nice quick read for Christmas week and I hadn't intended to do so but it was free with my Kindle points. 

Poirot is his usual confident self as he tries to figure out what has happened to a large ruby lost by a Prince eager to show off to a pretty girl. Staying at the country house where the thief is suspected to be proves to be a fun holiday time for him via the hospitality of the hosts, oblivious as to why he's really there. 

I enjoyed reading it rather than watching it this time but also was impressed at how the show really stuck to the book's details. It's not creepy or scary in any way, light hearted but with a "murder" occurring halfway through that he has to solve. The ruby mystery is all linked as Christie always does well. The characters involve a lot of younger people who are vying to be cool and hip and jokesters. They can't get anything over on Poirot though. 

Descriptions of the Christmas festivities and food, especially the plum pudding really sets the tone for an authentic English Christmas and being American I was loving reading about the little presents in the pudding. A wonderful addition to read right before the big day. 

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

A Christmas Vanishing by Anne Perry (The Christmas Stories Book 21)

 

Publication Date:

November 7, 2023

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

190 pages

Series:

The Christmas Stories

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Charlotte Pitt’s clever grandmother investigates the sudden disappearance of her dear friend in this chilling holiday whodunit by New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.

Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, accepts her longtime friend Sadie’s gracious invitation to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Barton, in their picturesque village. But upon arrival, Mariah discovers that Sadie has vanished without a trace, and Barton rudely rescinds the invitation. Once Mariah finds another acquaintance to stay with during the holiday season, she begins investigating Sadie’s disappearance.

Mariah’s uncanny knack for solving mysteries serves her well during her search, which is driven by gossip as icy as the December weather. Did Sadie run off with another man? Was she kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? Frustratingly, Mariah’s questions reveal more about the villagers themselves than about her friend’s whereabouts. Yet in the process of getting to know Sadie’s neighbors, Mariah finds a kind of redemption, as she rediscovers her kinder side, and her ability to love. 

It is up to Mariah to master her own feelings, drown out the noise, and get to the bottom of what occurred, all before Christmas day. With the holiday rapidly approaching, will she succeed in bringing Sadie home in time for them to celebrate it together—or is that too much to hope for?

My Thoughts

Sadly, this was the last Anne Perry Christmas story and I am bummed. I really love these during the holidays and she passed away in 2023. It was a nice one to end the series with though. 

I've always liked the characters in the Pitt novels and even though Mariah is often cranky and stuffy, I always felt she had a heart in there somewhere. This book shows her soft side and by the end of it, you come to like and admire her. She doggedly pursues her missing friend, Sadie, even as clues begin to pile up showing Sadie might have a darker side to her. Her heart seems to thaw throughout the story towards others and she opens up to the possibility of true love, which she did not have in her marriage. Because of her background, she is able to have compassion for others as she looks for what has happened to her friend.

The mystery part was original, one of the reasons I love Perry books, but not terribly detailed. As it unfolded, I realized this book was more about Mariah than Sadie. The disappearance seemed like a secondary story in a way, but it was still done well to keep you wanting to know the how and why behind it. Some of the Christmas stories were a little dark for me for the holiday season, but not this one. It was a nice change, although if it were a Pitt or Monk novel I'd probably want it to be a little edgier like her usual writing. 

If you'd like a heartwarming mystery for the holidays with redemption at the end this is a great story for next week. It is a wonderful book to make you think and also put you in the Christmas spirit.

Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown (A Marius Quin Mystery Book One)

 

Publication Date:

November 3, 2023

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

320 pages

Series

Marius Quin

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

A mystery novelist with writer’s block, a lavish party to ring in the new year, and a film star with three bullets through his head…

December 1927. Mystery writer Marius Quin has one previous bestseller, endless looming mortgage payments, and no idea how to write his next book. When his childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague invites him to an intimate New Year’s Eve party hosted by a narcissistic actor, Marius seizes upon the distraction. With his perpetually glum Basset hound along for the ride, he navigates the snowy lanes to the opulent estate of Everham Hall. As the celebrations begin, fireworks light up the sky, champagne corks pop, and then the host is murdered.

Snowed in and with the police unable to reach them, Marius is the closest thing the panicked party has to a detective and he is swiftly nominated to find the killer. But when two more guests are attacked, Marius soon realises that solving mysteries is even harder than writing them. With Bella at his side, and a clutch of conniving suspects to choose from, can Marius find the culprit before the killer targets him?

My Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to start this series for awhile now, having enjoyed his Lord Edgington one. This one centers around Marius, a writer who is still in love with his childhood friend, Bella. 

On New Year’s Eve he is invited to a lavish gathering at a famous celebrity estate where Bella will also be in attendance and when they get caught up in the murder of the host they find they make an excellent sleuthing team. 

Marius already writes detective crime novels so interviewing the many eccentric guests is exciting for him and he’s very good at it. As he and Bella dig into the many odd relationships between the deceased and his friends and family, he must also deal with Bella’s current boyfriend, Gilbert, whom Marius can’t stand of course. 

As more attempted murder occurs and past histories begin to look ugly, they are worried they could be next. The solution was clever and does not go where you think it will. It involves people and events that aren't visible until the end which I always love in cozy mysteries. There are also a couple of really well planned red herrings to throw you off a bit.

I thought this was a great start to a solid series. I liked the main characters a lot and care enough to continue. I see that Marius and Bella will be working together to solve more crimes and so it should be a lot of fun. This author does a great job of establishing the setting and has got the cozy winter, castle thing down. I will be continuing with these for sure.

It's probably best read now during the holiday/New Year's season to get the most enjoyment out of it!

Murder in An Irish Castle by Verity Bright (Lady Eleanor Swift Book Twelve)

 

Publication Date:

November 28, 2022

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

320 pages

Series: 

Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Irish whiskey, rolling green hills, a traditional Christmas feast and… a murder? Lady Swift will need the luck of the Irish to survive this holiday season!

Christmas, 1924. Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather unexpected invitation to the village Christmas party in the tiny, rural hamlet of Derrydee in the west of Ireland. Eleanor is thrilled about exploring her ancestral roots at her late uncle’s estate and spending the festive season in a castle. Packing Gladstone the bulldog’s coziest Christmas jumper, they set off to the Emerald Isle with her butler Clifford in tow.

Arriving late at night, Eleanor and Clifford are shocked when they find a body sprawled in the snow on the winding country lane outside the estate. The local constable is immediately suspicious and all but accuses the pair of murder. This isn’t the warm Irish welcome Eleanor imagined.

Clifford is certain he recognises the poor fellow from the funeral of Eleanor’s uncle – but what was their connection? Undeterred by the villagers’ lack of gossip on the matter, Eleanor is determined to get justice for the victim. The man’s pockets are suspiciously empty of personal effects, but closer inspection reveals an old key hidden in the heel of his boot. Could this unlock more than one mystery for Eleanor?

But when a fire breaks out at the castle on Christmas Eve, an even bigger question looms: is someone out to ensure the family line dies with Lady Swift? And will Eleanor’s first Irish Christmas be her last?

My Thoughts:

This was a perfect November/December book to get me into the Christmas spirit. The descriptions of the Irish castles and surroundings, traditional food, and the local, quirky townspeople all made it feel authentic and I appreciated the author's research and interesting details. 

Eleanor, Clifford, and the dog, Gladstone really had a baffling mysyery to solve in this story. From the minute they find the nearly dead man in the road it seems no one wants them involved in questioning anything much less investigating suspicious clues. Of course this doesn’t stop them and after taking the man to a local convent and witnessing odd behavior by the nun and doctor there, they feel obligated to find out why. 

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.

Murder Among the Pyramids by Sara Rosett (Lady Traveler in Egypt Book One)

 

Publication Date:

October 16, 2024

Genre:  

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:   

316 pages

Series: 

Lady Traveler in Egypt 

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

Escape on an Egyptian excursion to the land of the Pyramids.
Tour highlights include Hieroglyphics and high tea in the desert, followed by murder after sunset.

It’s 1924 and Blix Windway has made a career out of her wanderlust, giving lectures to ladies’ groups about everything from the flora of the American desert to the beauty of the Swiss Alps, but she needs new material for her talks.

She strikes what seems to be an ideal agreement with an eccentric older lady. Blix will be her travel companion during a journey to Egypt, helping to smooth the way through customs and coordinate sightseeing tours. The arrangement will provide Blix with the perfect opportunity to photograph the pyramids and gather material for her next lecture series.

But they’ve barely left England before the trouble begins; rough seas and an attempted robbery. Then a murder occurs during a tour of the pyramids.

Despite the attempts of the British officials to sweep the death under the rug, Blix becomes increasingly convinced that one of their tour party is a murderer.

Blix’s search for the truth takes her from the posh sporting clubs and lavish gardens of Cairo to the narrow, twisting lanes of the city’s centuries-old bazaar and the vast desert around the Giza Plateau. Can Blix unearth the truth before the killer makes this journey her last?

Join Blix on this classic murder mystery from Sara Rosett, author of the beloved High Society Lady Detective series.

My Thoughts:

I had not read any Sara Rosett books before this one but have several of her samples in my Kindle. This one was available on Libby. It was cute. Very similar to some Agatha Christie type books and the author says Elizabeth Peters was an inspiration for the Egyptian setting.

The main character, Blix is smart and resourceful and brave in her quest to find the killer of one of the tourists she is involved with, Vita Duncan.  With her travel companion and the woman funding her vacation, Hildy Honeyworth, and others, she works the clues including a mysterious package she was asked to deliver to someone in Egypt. 

Virgins by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander 0.5)

 

Publication Date:

December 3, 2013

Genre:  

Historical Fiction

Length:   

 86 pages

Series: Outlander 

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

A young Jamie Fraser learns what it really means to become a man in this Outlander prequel novella. Featuring all the trademark suspense, adventure, and history of Diana Gabaldon’s #1 bestselling novels and the Starz original series, Virgins is now available for the first time as a standalone ebook.
 
Mourning the death of his father and gravely injured at the hands of the English, Jamie Fraser finds himself running with a band of mercenaries in the French countryside, where he reconnects with his old friend Ian Murray. Both are nursing wounds; both have good reason to stay out of Scotland; and both are still virgins, despite several opportunities to remedy that deplorable situation with ladies of easy virtue. 

But Jamie’s love life becomes infinitely more complicated, and dangerous, when fate brings the young men into the service of Dr. Hasdi, a Jewish gentleman who hires them to escort two priceless treasures to Paris. One is an old Torah; the other is the doctor’s beautiful daughter, Rebekah, destined for an arranged marriage. Both Jamie and Ian are instantly drawn to the bride-to-be, but they might be more cautious if they had any idea who they’re truly dealing with.

My Thoughts

I read Virgins years ago. But never reviewed it because it was long before I had my blog! It has always been a goal of mine to review all the books from favorite authors that I've read in the past. So a re-read was in order for this one. It is a novella, short and easily read when I'm busy. While not my favorite of her stories, it grew on me over time as I wanted to know more about the back story of Jamie and Ian.

The main story is not terribly relevant. Jamie is recovering from wounds inflicted on him back in Scotland and grieving the death of his beloved Father. Ian is working in France with dangerous mercenaries and Jamie decides to join him. The story follows their reconnection, and involvement with the devious Rebekah and throughout we are privy to things about Jamie that we might not have discovered in the main Outlander book. There are many thoughtful conversations to be read between him and Ian and I liked learning more about the relationship between them. It showcases their youth and innocence and feels like a great way to see them both before life hardens them.

The immediate story involving the Jewish man and his daughter is quick and not necessary to further Outlander plot lines. But as someone who loves mystery and intrigue I thought it was engaging enough to want to figure out what was happening. Gabaldon is such a great writer that she can turn 86 pages into something thoughtful and suspenseful with ease. 

I liked Virgins much better the second time around. Having invested more time and thought into the characters made it more personal. If you are a fan of the series get the novellas and read them as stand alone books. They will give you more insight into the people she's created. 

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. 

Mayhem in the Mountains by Kelly Oliver (Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Book 3)

 

Publication Date:

August 15, 2023

Genre:  

Cozy Mysteries/Historical Mysteries

Length:   

 298 pages

Series: 

Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mysteries

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

1918 Italy

When a deadly blizzard traps Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane in the Dolomite Mountains, it's all downhill from here.

Their hotel is snowed-in, and no one can get in or out. Then a man is found dead in his locked hotel room - and the killer is still on the premises. But with no murder weapon and too many suspects, their investigation is treading on thin ice.

The colder it gets outside, the hotter it gets inside as Fiona squares off with both her beloved Archie and her nemesis Fredricks. With her love-life on a slippery-slope, Fiona risks everything in one bold move...

As fast and twisty as a downhill slalom, this slick new cozy from Kelly Oliver will have you melting into a puddle of laughter.

Snap in and enjoy the ride.

My Thoughts

The covers for these books are absolutely gorgeous. If nothing else, I started reading them for that reason alone. I still find this funny.....that a pretty cover can draw me in. I am a history buff and love serious books all day too, so it is funny to find as a grown adult that cozy mysteries and pretty artwork can make me drop everything and read them. But here we are, lol!

While this is listed as Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Book 3 it is actually Book 6 for me in the series because the first three books are just with Fiona Figg as the main character. I do like the addition of Kitty, who seems to be a shrinking violet on the surface yet underneath is a trained operative well able to fend for herself. The relationship between the two women is amusing as a side plot because Kitty and Fiona are not that far apart in age yet Kitty is always pretending to be so much younger and it grates on Fiona's nerves. So I like the added bonus...plus Kitty's dog, Poppy is a cute addition.