Review - Speculations In Sin

I think I've probably read a few more than I've reviewed, but here is the one prior in this series I reviewed: 

3rd: Death in Kew Gardens (click here) 

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Copyright: Mar 2024 (Berkley) 319 pgs

Series: 7th in Below Stairs Mysteries

Sensuality: Adult topics, mild romance

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Historical

Main Character: Kat Holloway, a Cook for the Mayfair household  

Setting: 1883. London, England

Obtained Through: Publisher via Netgalley for honest review

 Book Blurb:  "Kat Holloway is distressed to learn that Samuel Millburn, husband of the woman who looks after her daughter, has been accused of embezzling funds from the bank where he works as a clerk. The accusation is absurd, and Samuel’s wife fears that her husband will not only lose his post but be imprisoned. Kat vows to uncover the truth.

When she discovers the bank is involved in shockingly murky business dealings, Kat realizes she’s treading in dangerous waters. She turns to her confidante and handsome suitor, Daniel McAdam, for help. To exonerate Samuel, Kat and Daniel may have to expose the unseemly financial dealings of prominent aristocrats and government officials, and even those working to bring down the royal family. Kat will risk everything to protect the man who has sacrificed so much for her daughter, even if it means endangering herself and the friends she has come to love."

MY Thoughts:

Superlative cook Kat Holloway struggles being a single mother at a time when it is unacceptable.  Flirty Daniel McAdam is courting Kat. He has a eighteen year old son who often is looking out for Kat on Daniels request.  There relationship is adorable and makes a little progress.  Also, we get a glimpse into Daniel's rough past before he became the dear he is now.

Joanna Millburn, wife of accused Samuel, is the woman who takes care of Kat's daughter, since Kat could lose her job if her employer knew she had a daughter.  That was the old mentality and because Samuel could go to prison, Joanna and Kat's daughter could be homeless.  Grace, Kat's daughter, is a delightful child who understands the situation and tries to be of help all around.

Lady Cynthia, sister-in-law of Kat's employers, assists in the investigation and maybe moreimportantly in helping Samuel obtain legal representation.  Mr. Thanos is a brilliant mathematician who also helps with the investigation. 

The plot has several twists to figure out what all was happening with the murder and the embezzeling.  The pacing kept me turning the pages. The climax was tense and had some thrilling moments which I so appreciate.  The wrap-up was heartwarming. 

This is an excellent historical cozy that never fails to entertain. It has a solid mystery with plenty of heart and spunk that I recommend.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

Review - The Fatal Folio

Maybe it's me, but every since the book The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill, where there was the actual story line alongside a book being read with it's own mystery, there seem to be more books with dual story-telling popping up.  Have you noticed that too??  Share your thoughts in the comments.  This is a new to me series, so keep reading and find out my thoughts.

Author: Elizabeth Penney

Copyright: October 2023 (Minotaur) 288 pgs

Series: 3rd in The Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery

Main Characters: Molly Kimball, works at family's bookshop

Setting: Modern day, Cambridge, England

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review, Netgalley

Book Blurb: "After moving to Cambridge, England, Molly Kimball has found a lot to love, including—of course—her family’s ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe—Manuscripts and Folios. And though she’s not quite ready to use the “L” word when it comes to her boyfriend Kieran, she’s definitely fallen for his intimidating family’s library.

His family is paying her handsomely for an updated catalog when Molly discovers the original manuscript of a Gothic novel, A Fatal Folio by the pseudonymous Selwyn Scott. Kieran’s cousin Oliver, a professor specializing in Gothic literature, is eager to publish a paper on the mystery—especially because a troublesome student, Thad, is threatening to file a complaint against him and prevent his long-awaited promotion.

On Guy Fawkes Night, Molly, Kieran, and her friends set out to enjoy the costumes, fireworks, and fun—at least until a stray firework starts a panic, and the group stumbles upon a prone body, their face covered by a mask. It’s Thad, and he’s been stabbed to death.

It soon becomes clear Oliver isn’t the only one with a motive, and Molly must once again put on a few masks of her own to sleuth out Thad’s killer, prove Oliver’s innocence, and discover what Selwyn’s novel might have to do with this most atmospheric mystery…"

My Thoughts: 

This is another story within a story.  There is the discovered novel (A Fatal Folio) contained within this mystery.  

I enjoyed Molly's mother, Nina, and her Aunt Violet.  Her boyfriend Kieran owns a bike shop but his parents are Lord Graham Scott and Lady Asha which intimidates Molly.  I like Kieran so far but feel I didn't get to know him much in this, my first outing without reading the previous books.

There are plenty of suspects and I had an inkling of who the killer was.  There are plenty of atmospheric touches that I really liked.  The killer reveal was quick and over and not very tense.  I found this was an enjoyable read.  

Rating: Good - A fun read with a lot of atmosphere

Book Review - God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen

One more holiday themed mystery, just in case you are missing all the holiday movies and such!  You have to ween yourself!

"Georgie is back and hanging the stockings with care when a murder interrupts her Christmas cheer in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling Royal Spyness series from Rhys Bowen."  See what I thought of the newest in this historical cozy mystery series.

Here are the reviews I have posted of prior books in the series. 

#14 The Last Mr. Summers (click here)

#8 Queen of Hearts (click here) 

#7 Heirs and Graces (click here)

#6 The Twelve Clues of Christmas (click here)

#5 Naughty in Nice (click here) 

#4 Royal Blood (click here) 

Author interviews and guest posts:

2017 (click here) 

2016 (click here) 

2010 (click here) 

Author: Rhys Bowen

Copyright: Oct 2021 (Berkley) 302 pgs

Series: 15th in Royal Spyness Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: historical Cozy, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Lady Georgianna, 35th in line for the throne, cousin to the prince 

Setting: 1935, Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England

Obtained Through: Netgalley for an honest review

Book Blurb: "Georgie is excited for her first Christmas as a married woman in her lovely new home. She suggests to her dashing husband, Darcy, that they have a little house party, but when Darcy receives a letter from his aunt Ermintrude, there is an abrupt change in plans. She has moved to a house on the edge of the Sandringham estate, near the royal family, and wants to invite Darcy and his new bride for Christmas. Aunt Ermintrude hints that the queen would like Georgie nearby. Georgie had not known that Aunt Ermintrude was a former lady-in-waiting and close confidante of her royal highness. The letter is therefore almost a royal request, so Georgie, Darcy, and their Christmas guests: Mummy, Grandad, Fig, and Binky all head to Sandringham.

Georgie soon learns that the notorious Mrs. Simpson, mistress to the Prince of Wales, will also be in attendance. It is now crystal clear to Georgie that the Queen expects her to do a bit of spying. There is tension in the air from the get-go, and when Georgie pays a visit to the queen, she learns that there is more to her request than just some simple eavesdropping. There have been a couple of strange accidents at the estate recently. Two gentlemen of the royal household have died in mysterious circumstances and another has been shot by mistake during a hunt. Georgie begins to suspect that a member of the royal family is the real target but her investigation will put her new husband and love of her life, Darcy, in the crosshairs of a killer."

Georgiana is still self-conscious as she tries to be more mature as a married woman, but she can't change her sleuthing ways. Especially when the Queen asks for her to investigate.  Darcy and his rather carefree single days raise a specter that he and Georgie must deal with in this addition to the series.  Georgiana's brother "Binky" and his wife "Fig" invite themselves along and Fig is still insufferable.  Darcy's Aunt Ermintrude is an eccentric artist and was once part of the Queen's retinue and close confidante who has fallen on hard times since her husband's death.  Georgiana's mother, a former actress who is now the steady girlfriend of a German businessman, joins the festivities and has less of a role than usual.  Queenie, the walking disaster zone, is working in the kitchen for the most part when she isn't ruining some lady's dress or other mishap.  The Prince (Georgiana's cousin) and Mrs. Simpson, the American Divorcee, are present and part of the reason why Georgie and her group have been invited.  

My Thoughts:  

I enjoyed this addition to the series.  The accidents that were really murders are well done for creating a suspicious environment where everyone could be the killer.  Were the victims the intended target, or were they mistakes trying to kill the Prince?  This kept me reading and guessing.  The 20,000 acre Sandringham estate (where the royal family spends every Christmas) was a great location and felt isolated and eerie at times.  Georgie has developed well in her deductive skills and that is tested as well as how secure she feels with Darcy.  The characters are all real-feeling, the setting is shared faithfully, the mystery isn't easy to figure out, and I didn't realize who the killer was until Georgie did and it will surprise many.  This is a delightful mystery that provides a great escape with an interesting tableau and puzzle to solve.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Here is a short video of Sandringham House 

from a tourist.