Review - Murder at King's Crossing

I have been a fan of this series since the beginning, check out the prior reviews of books in the series.

1)  Murder on Swan Lake (review here) 

2)  Murder at Halfmoon Gate (review here) 

3)  Murder at Kensington Palace (review here)   

4)  Murder at Queen's Landing (review here) 

5)  Murder at Royal Botanic Gardens (review here) 

6)  Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (review here) 

7) Murder at the Merton Library (review here)

Author interview (click here) 

This series hasn't slowed down.  Let's find out what the newest book in this historical mystery series has in store for us.

Author: Andrea Penrose

Copyright: September 2024 (Berkley) 369 pgs

Series: 8th in Wrexford & Sloane Mysteries

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Historical, Historical Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Charlotte Saybrook, a satirical cartoonist under the name A.J. Quill

Setting: Regency Era, London England

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "Celebration is in the air at Wrexford and Charlotte’s country estate as they host the nuptials of their friends, Christopher Sheffield and Lady Cordelia Mansfield. But on the afternoon of the wedding, the festivities are interrupted when the local authorities arrive with news that a murdered man has been discovered at the bridge over King’s Crossing, his only identification an invitation to the wedding. Lady Cordelia is horrified when the victim is identified as Jasper Milton, her childhood friend and a brilliant engineer who is rumored to have discovered a revolutionary technological innovation in bridge design. That he had the invitation meant for her cousin Oliver, who never showed up for the wedding, stirs a number of unsettling questions.

Both men were involved in the Revolutions-Per-Minute Society, a scientific group dedicated to making radical improvements in the speed and cost of transportation throughout Britain. Is someone plotting to steal Milton’s designs? And why has her cousin disappeared?

Wrexford and Charlotte were looking forward to spending a peaceful interlude in the country, but when Lady Cordelia resolves to solve the mystery, they offer their help, along with that of the Weasels and their unconventional inner circle of friends. The investigation turns tangled and soon all of them are caught up in a treacherous web of greed, ambition, and dangerous secrets. And when the trail takes a shocking turn, Wrexford and Charlotte must decide what risks they are willing to take with their family to bring the villains to justice . . ."

Lady Charlotte and the Earl of Wrexford, Wrex for short, are a married couple now. I appreciate how they are a team and he doesn't try to change her nor cut her out of investigating. As always, Charlotte's adopted sons, Raven and Hawk are a refreshing addition.  This book has an interesting turn for the brilliant child nicknamed Peregrin-another favorite of mine. 

Wrex's best friend, Christopher "Kit" Sheffield and Lady Cordelia, a whip smart mathematician, are lovely as a couple but see stress on their just completed marriage with the investigation.  Aunt Alison and Henning the anatomist make appearances as the inner circle.  

McClellan the cook and housemaid and Tyler, Wrex's lab assistant/valet are present again.  Tyler gets involved a good bit with the investigating this time around.  All the characters have a role in the tight-knit "family" and pull together in this investigation.  I appreciate this rag-tag found-family that makes the stories special. 

I always appreciate the setting of Regency England in these novels for how the excitement of the blossoming scientific fields and innovation are juxtaposed against the greed and hubris of the investors and wealthy.  This book is a good example of that.

The plot has many twists just uncovering what the motive of the murder really was let alone who is the killer.  This and the wily suspects kept the pages flying by for me.  A character from a prior book makes another appearance and I still wonder if he is a friend or foe, which adds to the twists.

The killer show down lives up to my high expectations for this series with plenty of excitement and thrills. Exceptionally well done.  The wrap up leaves a personal mystery yet to be solved for our duo.

My Thoughts:  Ms. Penrose only gets better with each book.  The mystery is tangled and layered, the characters are brought to life with care and depth, the setting and time period are detailed and transport the reader, the pacing is spot on to present a gem.  

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

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

Review - A Botanists Guide to Society and Secrets

 I love that Ms. Khavari was a teacher once upon a time and as a child she spent a lot of time memorizing Sherlock Holmes’s and Poirot’s greatest quips.

This series has become an automatic read for me.  Here is the third in this riveting historical cozy.

1)  A Botanist's Guide to Parties And Poisons (click here) 

2)  A Botanist's Guide to Flowers And Fatality (click here) 

Author: Kate Khavari

Copyright: June 2024 (Crooked Lane Book) 332 pgs

Series: 3rd in Saffron Everleigh Mysteries

Sensuality: Adult topics, mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth, Historical Cozy

Main Character: Saffron Everleigh, a brilliant botanist 

Setting: 1923, London England

Obtained Through: Publisher via Netgalley for honest review

 Book Blurb:  "Returning from Paris, botanical researcher Saffron Everleigh finds that her former love interest Alexander Ashton’s brother, Adrian, is being investigated for murder. A Russian scientist working for the English government has been poisoned, and expired in Adrian’s train compartment. Alexander asks Saffron to put in a good word for Adrian with Inspector Green. Despite her unresolved feelings for Alexander, Saffron begins to unravel mysteries surrounding the dead scientist.

As if a murder case weren’t enough, her best friend Elizabeth’s war-hero brother, Nick, arrives in town and takes an immediate interest in Saffron. Saffron learns Alexander has been keeping secrets from her, including a connection to Nick, who Saffron and Elizabeth begin to suspect is more than he seems.

When another scientist is found dead, Saffron agrees to go undercover at the government laboratory. Risking her career and her safety, she learns there are many more interested parties and dangerous secrets to uncover than she’d realized. But some secrets, Saffron will find, are better left undiscovered."

MY Thoughts:

Saffron Everleigh came from wealth but is making her own way in academia as a botanist like her father in an era when women were still to stay home having babies, cooking, and cleaning. She is an inspirational character with her intelligence and grit.  

Elizabeth Hale is her best friend and room mate who works as a secretary for a government official. Elizabeth's brother, Nick Hale, makes a surprise visit only to try and recruit Saffron to aid the government in investigating the scientist's murder.  Alexander Ashton, a fellow academia at the same university, is crazy about Saffron but had caused a rift between them insisting that she not assist the police with investigations, only to need her help now to clear his brother of killing the same scientist's murder.  Then there is Dr. Michael Lee who has grown very fond of Saffron and keeps helping her out on investigations. I particularly like Dr. Lee.

The plot continues to get more involved as the story develops. The pacing maintains a steady trot between everyone involved and the individual undercurrents.  The setting is London to begin, then transitions to the Path Lab in the small town of Harpenden.  The Path Lab makes a frightful setting with all the experiments and secrets.  

Elizabeth takes part in the exciting climax and brings some humor to the story. I enjoyed her greater involvement in this book. The climax and killer reveal was tense with quite a twist and was one of those just when you thought everything was done, ooops there's more surprise danger. 

This third book introduces a criminal mastermind and arch-enemy for Saffron.  This ups the ante significantly in these books.  The ending promises another match against this arch-villain.

Ms. Khavari's writing style makes each book more impressive than the last. Excellent and a must read series.

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 - 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 Secret of the Lost Pearls

 This series and characters started with Berkley as the Rosalind Thorne Mysteries.  But Berkley suddenly discontinued many of their mysteries, so author Darcie Wilde went to Kensington and they continued the books with the same characters as the Useful Woman Mysteries.  Here are my prior reviews of the Berkley books.

1) A Useful Woman (click here)  

2)  A Purely Private Matter (click here)  

3)  And Dangerous to Know (click here) 

5)  A Counterfeit Suitor (click here)  

Guest post 2016  (click here) 

Guest post 2017  (click here)  

Author: Deanna Rayburn

Copyright: Dec 2022 (Kensington) 406 pgs

Series: 1st in A Useful Woman Mysteries

Sensuality: Adult topics, nothing explicit nor violence

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Rosalind Thorne, former heiress now on the outskirts of society

Setting: Early 1800s (Regency,) London

Obtained Through: library

 Book Blurb:  "Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton: discretion, and a web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about anyone. Known as a “most useful woman,” Rosalind helps society ladies in need—for a modest fee, of course—and her client roster is steadily increasing.

Mrs. Gerald Douglas, née Bethany Hodgeson, presents Rosalind with a particularly delicate predicament. A valuable pearl necklace has gone missing, and Bethany’s husband believes the thief is Nora, Bethany’s disgraced sister. Nora made a scandalous elopement at age sixteen and returned three years later, telling the family that her husband was dead.

But as Rosalind begins her investigations, under cover of helping the daughters of the house prepare for their first London season, she realizes that the family harbors even more secrets than scandals. The intrigue swirling around the Douglases includes fraud, forgery, blackmail, and soon, murder. And it will fall to Rosalind, aided by charming Bow Street officer Adam Harkness, to untangle the shocking truth and discover who is a thief—and who is a killer."

MY Thoughts:

I really like Rosalind ever since the first book and I love the developing relationship with Bow Street runner, Adam Harkness.  They have such a sweetness between them.   Alice Littlefield, Rosalind's best friend, is now her roommate and leaves clutter around, so they now need a bigger place to survive together. Things are changing for Rosalind and she is hesitant to embrace it all.

Rosalind is challenged with this case and feels out of her depth a time or two.  But she persists and still figures out the intricacies with her eagle eyes.  The plot is a winding road and not easy to pin down what is really going on behind the scenes as every member of the household seems to have secrets.  The pacing kept me reading as something was being revealed or another twist that kept it interesting.    

Although the killer reveal wasn't a gripping or harrowing scene, I enjoyed it as all the pieces were put into place.  The wrap up took care of the final hanging thread.

I love the writing style, the interesting characters, and the twisty plot.

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

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

Review - A Counterfeit Suitor

 This is a favorite series, a "must read" on my list.  I have missed it and caught up with it here.

First book "A Useful Woman" (click here), 

Second book "A Purely Private Affair" (click here)

Shird book "And Dangerous To Know" (click here)

Fourth book "A Lady Compromised" no review

Two guest posts (click here and here) 

Author: Darcie Wilde

Copyright: Nov 2021 (Kensington Books) 442 pgs

Series: 5th in Rosalind Thorne Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy

Main Characters: Rosalind Thorne

Setting: Early 1800s (Regency,) London

Obtained Through: library

Book Blurb: "Among the ton of Regency London, one breath of scandal can be disastrous. Enter Rosalind Thorne, a young woman adept at helping ladies of quality navigate the most delicate problems—in this charming mystery series inspired by the novels of Jane Austen . . .

It is every mama’s dearest wish that her daughter marries well. But how to ensure that a seemingly earnest suitor is not merely a fortune hunter? Rosalind is involved in just such a case, discreetly investigating a client’s prospective son-in-law, when she is drawn into another predicament shockingly close to home.

Rosalind’s estranged father, Sir Reginald Thorne—a drunkard and forger—has fallen into the hands of the vicious scoundrel Russell Fullerton. Angered by her interference in his blackmail schemes, Fullerton intends to unleash Sir Reginald on society and ruin Rosalind. Before Rosalind’s enemy can act, Sir Reginald is found murdered—and Fullerton is arrested for the crime. He protests his innocence, and Rosalind reluctantly agrees to uncover the truth, suspecting that this mystery may be linked to her other, ongoing cases.

Aided by her sister, Charlotte, and sundry friends and associates—including handsome Bow Street Runner Adam Harkness—Rosalind sets to work. But with political espionage and Napoleon loyalists in the mix, there may be more sinister motives, and far higher stakes, than she ever imagined..." 

My Thoughts:

Rosalind still reminds me of a proper British version of True Grit's Mattie Ross. I enjoyed the warming in the very slow burn beween Rosalind and the Bow Street runner, Adam Harkness.  Harkness is reserved but clearly devoted to Rosalind.  Alice Littlefield, Rosalind's best friend, joins her again and proves her worth.  Rosalind's sister, who had run off with their father years ago, is back and their relationship is strained at best.  In this book Rosalind must face a very personal challenge that has her emotionally off balance and is affecting her abilities on her case.  Very well done.

Her past family issues also seem to come to a resolution plus a long standing enemy, in a surprising twist, reaches out to her for help.  The plot has plenty of twists and the climax was great.  Rosalind really steps up on many levels in this novel. Perhaps my favorite of all the books thus far.   

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

Review - A Botanists Guide to Flowers & Fatality

 “A cleverly plotted puzzle” (Ashley Weaver) in the vein of Opium and Absinthe, this second installment is perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Sujata Massey.

1)  A Botanist's Guide to Parties And Poisons (click here)

Author: Kate Khavari 

Copyright: June 2023 (Crooked Lane Books) 352 pgs

Series: 2nd in Saffron Everleigh Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy, Historical amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Saffron Everleigh, Botanist and college researcher

Setting: 1920s, London, England

Obtained Through: Publisher (Netgalley) for honest review

Book Blurb: "1920s London isn’t the ideal place for a brilliant woman with lofty ambitions. But research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to beat the odds in a male-dominated field at the University College of London. Saffron embarks on her first research study alongside the insufferably charming Dr. Michael Lee, traveling the countryside with him in response to reports of poisonings. But when Detective Inspector Green is given a case with a set of unusual clues, he asks for Saffron’s assistance.

The victims, all women, received bouquets filled with poisonous flowers. Digging deeper, Saffron discovers that the bouquets may be more than just unpleasant flowers— there may be a hidden message within them, revealed through the use of the old Victorian practice of floriography. A dire message, indeed, as each woman who received the flowers has turned up dead.

Alongside Dr. Lee and her best friend, Elizabeth, Saffron trails a group of suspects through a dark jazz club, a lavish country estate, and a glittering theatre, delving deeper into a part of society she thought she’d left behind forever.

Will Saffron be able to catch the killer before they send their next bouquet, or will she find herself with fatal flowers of her own in Kate Khavari’s second intoxicating installment." 

My Thoughts:

Saffron Everleigh, a woman pioneering in Botany, continues to face challenges as her male colleagues spread rumors and don't support her.  Her side kick in the first mystery, Alexander Ashton, is away on safari for the college and makes an appearance in the last chapters.  Saffron is teamed with Dr. Michael Lee for her research work but they don't get along even when he helps her investigate the murders.  

The plot is well conceived and presented and Saffron's investigation takes her into a seedy side of society's young party scene.  The characters are yet again well developed.  I flew through the pages, devouring them.  It had a very tense and dramatic killer reveal like I love.  This unique heroine and clever mysteries are my new favorite series.

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

Review - A Botanist's Guide to Parties And Poisons

I love starting with the first book in a new series. That's what we have today, a new historical mystery series with a unique and truly smart heroine. 

"The Lost Apothecary meets Dead Dead Girls in this fast-paced, STEMinist adventure.  Debut author Kate Khavari deftly entwines a pulse-pounding mystery with the struggles of a woman in a male-dominated field in 1923 London."

Author: Kate Khavari

Copyright: June  (Crooked Lane Books) 265 pgs

Series: 1st in Saffron Everleigh Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy, historical amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Saffron Everleigh, research assistant at University College London

Setting: 1923, London

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to blaze a new trail at the University College London, but with her colleagues’ beliefs about women’s academic inabilities and not so subtle hints that her deceased father’s reputation paved her way into the botany department, she feels stymied at every turn.

 When she attends a dinner party for the school, she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large expedition to the Amazon. What she doesn’t expect is for Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives, to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin. 

Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect and evidence quickly mounts. Joined by fellow researcher--and potential romantic interest--Alexander Ashton, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark gardens, and deadly poisons to clear Maxwell's name.

 Will she be able to uncover the truth or will her investigation land her on the murderer’s list, in this entertaining examination of society’s expectations."

My thoughts:

Saffron Everleigh is a woman pioneering in Botany where woman have rarely been allowed before.  She must face condescension, belittling, and pressure for intimate favors by her male scientific brothers.  She is tough, but can she figure out who the killer is and avoid being poisoned herself?  Alexander Ashton is accepting of Saffron and compliments her temperment well as a friend and potential romantic interest.  Dr. Maxwell is a dear character and I hope he is in future adventures.

Miss Khavari's style makes this a delightful story.  The plot is just twisty enough - apparently academia can be deadly!  The acadmeic life are realistically fleshed out along with the trials of women at the time. The climax is nail biting and thrilling, just the way I love it.  I highly recommend for anybody who enjoys historical mysteries, this is an author to remember.

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

Review - A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder

I read many comparisons of this series style with Georgette Heyer, who I love.  So I had to read it.  This is my review of the first in the series.

Author: Dianne Freeman

Copyright: June 2018 (Kensington) 290 pgs

Series: 1st in A Countess of Harleigh Mysteries

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy

Main Character: Frances Wynn, the wealthy Countess of Harleigh- recently widowed

Setting: Victorian era, London, England

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "Frances Wynn, the wealthy Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York—for her first London season.

 

But no sooner has Frances begun her new life than the Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband’s death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she’s also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie’s demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.

 

While busy with social engagements on Lily’s behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever-chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth. A killer is in their midst, and Frances must unmask the villain before Lily’s season—and their lives—come to a most unseemly end . . ."

Frances Wynn is just beginning to live her life and she is thrilled and cautious.  Her sister, Lily, is visiting to find a husband and is a stellar character.  Frances deceased husband, Reggie, is still tormenting her, now with his death.  Neighbor and a friend's brother, George Hazelton, is the only other person that knows Reggie died while with his mistress. He is also the potential romantic interest.  Detective Inspector Delaney is probably one of my favorite cops.

This book brings out the shallow lives of many in the aristocracy.  It certainly brings up the changing times and how hard it is for the upper class to adjust to the style they are accustomed to living is going the way of the dodo.  This is the London presented.

The plot is intriguing.  After seven years of marriage, her unfaithful husband dies and she is free to move to London and live life on her terms... until someone sends notes to the police accusing her of murdering her husband and Inspector Delaney shows up and her doorstep.   Additionally, there's a jewel thief running around stealing from the upper class at their gatherings as a side plot.

The killer reveal may come as a surprise, I had considered this character but hadn't given that character more serious consideration until closer to the reveal.  There were a few moments of tension in the reveal. 

Many of the historical mysteries have a slightly darker edge to them.  This is the exception with its more breezy writing style.  If you want a lighter historical mystery that is also a slow-burn on the romance side, then this is for you.  I found it refreshing and delightful.

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