Stacking the Shelves #78

 

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 ya'll!

Silent Nights by various authors, edited by Martin Edwards (British Library Crime Classics)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

This is part of the British Crime Classics series and I love that it is a Christmas themed edition. I might not get to all the stories by New Years Day but it'a a good one to pick up and read between longer books. It features 15 Christmas themed mysteries by classic authors.

An Ancient Evil by P.C. Doherty (Canterbury Mysteries Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trail

I'll be honest....I'm not sure about this one but it looks unique and is written by an author who started writing in the 80's after majoring in medieval history studies. I want to try it and it was free right now with my 3 months Kindle Unlimited subscription. Pilgrims from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales narrate the story on their way to the sacred shrine. Along the way they tell tales of "mystery, terror, and murder."

The Case at Barton Manor by Emily Queen (Mrs. Lillywhite Investigates Book One)

Kindle Freebie through newsletter and Book Funnel

I love to subscribe to newsletters of publishers and authors. You can really get some good deals and insider info. I received a free copy of book one in this series and while I might not get to it right away I will try in 2026. After the death of her husband, Rosemary Lillywhite becomes involved in a murder investigation involving her brother. Another lady detective series set in the Roaring 20's.

Stacking the Shelves #77

 

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 ya'll!

Feud by Derek Birks (The Wars of the Roses Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

The author of this book hosts one of my favorite podcasts, A Slice of Medieval. He is a former history teacher who is especially knowledgeable about The Wars of the Roses. This is book one in his historical fiction series about that time period and begins in the year 1459 with the growing conflict between a knight and a local, rival Lord. We see history unfold alongside the knight, Ned and his family, who of course become involved. I think it will be a great series and there are nine books taking it all the way to 1485.

Talleyman by John James (Victorian Maritime Adventures Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

I don't know anything about these books but I do love the mystery and nautical feel from the cover and description. It is set in Ireland in the 1840's during the Irish potato famine and concerns a seaman from the British Royal Navy who is trying to help distribute food to the desperate, starving people of Cork County. He becomes involved in a brewing rebellion and must decide which side to take. I think it sounds like an action filled amazing read!

The author lived and wrote during the mid 20th Century. He was from Wales. These books are considered classics now.

No Dark Place by Joan Wolf  (Medieval Mysteries Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

This is the first of a two book series from 1999 by an author new to me. But I'm a sucker for good medieval mysteries so it looked worth trying. This author has written mostly best selling romance books, which I'm not a big fan of but this one looks more mystery based. 

It is set during Norman England. A nobleman has just lost his adoptive father, the Sheriff of Lincoln, and finds out his real childhood may have been more dangerous than he remembers. He sets out to solve the mystery of his past and finds danger along the way.

Stacking the Shelves #76

 

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 ya'll!

The Duke's Agent by Rebecca Jenkins (A Raif Jarrett Regency Mystery Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

This mystery is set in England just after the Napoleonic Wars. The main character, Raif returns from them and is employed as the Duke of Penrith's agent. He soon uncovers crime, corruption, and murder. I like books set in this era featuring male protagonists similar to Poldark. Add in the mystery and I'm really hooked.

The Winter Mantle by Elizabeth Chadwick

Kindle Purchase: Free with Kindle points

First of all, what an absolutely gorgeous cover! It made me want to look into the book. Add in the reputable author and time period of the Norman conquest and I had to get it. This was a Chadwick novel I'd not heard of before. It is a stand alone, not part of a series. Set during 1067, it is about an English noble returning from battle who falls in love with William the Conqueror's niece. They are forbidden to marry and must navigate their feelings through the dangerous times. Should be a great historical read.

Murder at the Winter Gala by Rosie Hunt (A Lady Felicity Quick Mystery Book Ten)

Kindle Purchase: Free with Kindle points

I haven't started these books yet but such a gorgeous cover and I love historical Christmas cozies. I keep hearing it is a good series so I'd like to start it and I have book one. In this story Lady Felicity is planning her wedding while also solving the murder of the charity chairwomen at the village fundraiser for an orphanage. Add in a blizzard and it sounds like a great holiday/winter cozy.

Stacking the Shelves #75

 

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 ya'll!

Shades of Death: Murder at the Court of Elizabeth I by Angela Ranson

Kindle Purchase: 99 cents with points

I'm normally really burnt out on anything related to the Tudors but this mystery focuses on the death of Lord Dudley's wife Amy and the scandal involving the queen, which does interest me. I don't know the story at all but I really should! This historical fiction mystery setting might explain it in an entertaining way. Two of the queen's ladies-in-waiting investigate at Amy's home and try to find Lord Dudley innocent. 

The Forest Laird: A Tale of William Wallace by Jack Whyte

Kindle Purchase: Free with points

You don't find too many good books about Scottish heroes. William Wallace is probably written about more than others but this book just really caught my eye. Reading the author's note at the beginning hooked me too because he seems so heartfelt to tell the story accurately. I want to get around to this one soon.

Pilfered Promises: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery by M. Louisa Locke

Kindle Purchase: 99 cents

I remembered I have book one of this series already but haven't read it. I don't know why, they look interesting enough. I just have so many series already to get through. These are set during a time and place I'm not as eager to read about but I still think they are worth a shot. In this one, book 5, it is Thanksgiving and Christmas time so I really like to read those in season.

Stacking the Shelves #74

 

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 ya'll!

The Seaside Murders by Helena Dixon (The Secret Detective Agency Book Two)

Kindle Purchase: 99 cents today 

I have book one from this series but haven't started it yet. This was so cheap I went ahead and got it. It looks like a cute series and I had started her other one awhile back and liked it. This continues Jane Treen, government agent in 1940's WW II and her cat. Always a plus when you add a cat :) 

Good Man Friday by Barbara Hambly (Benjamin January Book Twelve)

Kindle Purchase: Free with points

This series is unique. I have the second book, Fever Season. The books feature a free Creole man, Benjamin January in early 1830's New Orleans who is also a physician and music teacher. I think the setting and character make it unlike any other historical mystery I've read before. It's a long running series with twenty-one books, the latest published July 2025.  I still need to get book one to see how it all begins. 

Murder at the Highland Castle by Helena Dixon (Miss Kitty Underhay Book 14)

Kindle Purchase: 99 cents

Another Helena Dixon cozy, this one is part of the series I started awhile back. I can't resist the Christmas vibes and beautiful cover. Add in the Scottish highlands and you have a fun read. Might need to start this one to review for December.

Stacking the Shelves #73

 

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 ya'll!

Lady Helena Investigates by Jane Steen (Scott DeQunicy Mysteries Book One)

Kindle Purchase: Free today (Book Bub newsletter)

I'd come across this series before and today the first was free on Kindle. In 1881 Sussex, Lady Helena mourns the death of her second husband (her first also dying under mysterious circumstances) and works with a French physician to find out if it was murder or not. In doing so she becomes more aware of her own family's secrets and realizes there is a lot she doesn't know. Looks like romance, mystery, and family drama in one novel.

Bones at the Manor House by Emma Jameson (Dr. Benjamin Bones Mysteries Book Two)

Kindle Purchase: 99 cents this week 

This one doesn't take place in a favorite era of mine (1939) but it is in a small Cornish village and involves a ghost, love triangle and a dead body. It is book two and I'm always averse to starting that way but it was cheap and I'll just look for book one eventually. It is unique and so I wanted to go ahead and grab it! As if I don't have enough cozy historical mystery series to read, lol.

Marguerite: The Story of Marguerite of Anjou by Judith Arnopp

Kindle Purchase: 99 cents this week 

I had seen this book advertised heavily lately and was intrigued. I love Marguerite as a subject of history but I admit the subtitle "Hell hath no fury!" kept me away. It just seemed a little too theatrical. But I'm going to give it a try because it may turn out to be a great. The author has written several books about other historical figures and people seem to have enjoyed them. 

Stacking the Shelves #72

 

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 ya'll!

 

They Came To Baghdad by Agatha Christie 

Libby borrow: Free

This one looks great because of the location.  It just adds to the intrigue. In this one a spy dies in a young girl's hotel room and she is in for an adventure figuring out why. Add in a secret superpower summit and a shady underworld and I'm in! Should be a good one. If you've read it, no spoilers :) 

A Lady's Guide To Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh Mystery Book One)

Amazon Prime borrow: Free

Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh, is happy to be free of her unfaithful husband who has died and is looking forward to the future with her daughter in London. Then she is implicated in his death and along with her handsome neighbor, George, she has to find out the truth before it ruins her life and her daughter's social London season. This looks cute and is book one so I'm interested.

 Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna (Stella and Lyndy Mysteries Book One)

Amazon Prime borrow: Free

American heiress and horse trainer Stella Kendrick is called from Kentucky back to England by her Father who then announces he is giving her away in marriage to a stranger, the Earl of Atherly's son, who will benefit financially from the match.  She becomes involved in the murder of the vicar who is to marry them and also more interested than she planned in her new fiance. 

Stacking the Shelves #71

 

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 ya'll!

Last Dance in Salzburg by Vivian Conroy (Miss Ashford Investigates #4)

Kindle Sale: 99 cents this week 

I have read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them. I have to read book three first but this is book 4 so I got it while it was only a dollar. The covers are beautiful and I love the unique location settings. Atalanta tries to uncover the truth behind the death of a convicted jewel thief. She has to sleuth among the European elite in 1930's Austria. 

A Perilous Premiere by Gail Meath (Stone and Steele Mysteries #1)

Kindle Points

Growing up with the old movies this series looked really charming to me. The author has written another successful one called Jax Diamond Mysteries, and this is her newest one. It's set in the 1930's Golden Age of Hollywood and the heroine is friends with Carole Lombard, owns a fashion boutique in Beverly Hills, and is trying to solve the recent murder of her banker husband. She has the unwanted help of Preston Stone, a man she doesn't care for at all. Should be a fun series set in an iconic period. 

Death at a Paris Hotel by Verity Bright (Lady Eleanor Swift #22)

Kindle Sale: 99 cents this week

I grab all of this series as I can. I am not up to this one yet but it was super cheap this week. Lady Eleanor and Hugh are honeymooning in Paris but just can't seem to avoid being drug into another case of murder. This time Eleanor thinks she knows the victim but isn't quite sure who he is.