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.

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.

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. 

The Formidable Women Who Shaped Medieval Europe: Power and Patronage at the Burgundian Court by Susan Abernethey

 

Publication Date:

December 30, 2025

Genre:  

History/Medieval History

Length:   

 224 pages

Series: No

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The formation of the Burgundian Empire by the four Valois Dukes of Burgundy would not have happened without the formidable royal and aristocratic women in their lives. These women, the wives, daughters, nieces, granddaughters and great-granddaughters, were vigorously engaged in the administration of the Burgundian empire, acting as governors and regents, making appointments, securing and making strategic marriages, raising taxes, negotiating treaties, engaging in cultural, religious and political patronage, giving birth to heirs and aiding in the military endeavours of their husbands. The history of these women involves numerous countries in Europe, including England, Scotland, France, Brittany, the Low Countries, Italy, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and many others.

Some of these women lived in luxurious comfort, and others were bullied and badgered into turning over some or all of their patrimony, allowing these all-powerful men to build an influential and powerful new state comprised of a numerous and varied collection of territories in Western Europe that existed from the late fourteenth century until the early sixteenth century.

We will meet women who were the daughters of kings, emperors, dukes and counts and even a queen regnant and a saint. The Valois dukes fully entrusted their wives with ruling in their stead while away fighting military and political wars. They used a deliberate policy of making marriages for their daughters and other female relatives into the many houses of Europe for political and territorial gains. In the end, the last Valois duke, Charles the Bold, put in motion a marriage for his daughter Mary, which would eventually bring about the end of the mighty Burgundian state, allowing it to be ruled by the House of Habsburg and absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire.

My Thoughts:

This was an ARC I was lucky to receive and has yet to be published. Focusing on first the history of the Burgundian Empire, the author establishes great background information to help the reader understand the formation of the country up to the reign of Charles the Bold. This wasn't the most interesting part for me but it did give me facts about Burgundy I'd never have found otherwise. Then she shifts her focus to the women who were either influential or reigned. This picks up in an era I'm more familiar with but wanted to know much more about. People like Margaret of England and Isabeau of Bavaria. She is especially fascinating as the wife of Charles the Mad King and mother of Henry V's wife, Catherine of Valois.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.