tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24366934884936745762024-03-15T14:04:38.145-06:00Mysteries and My MusingsFor mystery fans and authors. Let's talk murder and mayhem with a peppering of paranormal and suspense. This blog will contain book reviews, discuss writing mysteries, host reading challenges, host writing challenges and even have author interviews!A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.comBlogger1062125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-72854640184016106322024-03-14T20:42:00.002-06:002024-03-14T20:42:29.798-06:00Review - A Grave Robbery<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> This is one of my favorite historical mystery series and even though I have missed two books out of the nine, I always come back to this series.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1. A Curious Beginning (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2016/04/review-curious-beginning.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3. A Treacherous Curse (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2018/03/review-treacherous-curse.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">4. A Dangerous Collaboration (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-dangerous-collaboration.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">5. A Murderous Relation (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2020/09/review-murderous-relation.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">6. An Unexpected Peril (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/08/review-unexpected-peril.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">7. An Impossible Imposter (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2022/04/review-impossible-imposter.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1AKc8xtZ1saNm9D22uxc337CZkL-T_hgVNXOcq6NXHIywhOObaSMx0GU2gfz3mrK2O_uuNPH4wbGMSPU5QNEedka1r02cjJlU9OzBTLsjV5yHOEN1l0YqS0PqJrS-F0OlzAp7YacIlSZRsnMF4F9a4fh4MPv37s4jPbkLXYXRoe8VEOxiHg3IRkjv3U/s1000/GraveRobbery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1AKc8xtZ1saNm9D22uxc337CZkL-T_hgVNXOcq6NXHIywhOObaSMx0GU2gfz3mrK2O_uuNPH4wbGMSPU5QNEedka1r02cjJlU9OzBTLsjV5yHOEN1l0YqS0PqJrS-F0OlzAp7YacIlSZRsnMF4F9a4fh4MPv37s4jPbkLXYXRoe8VEOxiHg3IRkjv3U/w333-h502/GraveRobbery.jpg" width="333" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Deanna Rayburn</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Mar 2024 (Berkley) 334 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 9th in Veronica Speedwell Mysteries</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> Adult topics, no gore</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Historical Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Character:</b> Veronica Speedwell, an amateur entomologist </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> 1889, London England</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher via Netgalley for honest review</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Book Blurb:</b> "Lord Rosemorran has purchased a wax figure of a beautiful reclining woman and asks Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. But when Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open to insert the mechanism, he makes a gruesome discovery: this is no wax figure. The mannequin is the beautifully preserved body of a young woman who was once very much alive. But who would do such a dreadful thing, and why? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sleuthing out the answer to this question sets Veronica and Stoker on their wildest adventure yet. From the underground laboratories of scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead in the vein of Frankenstein to the traveling show where Stoker once toured as an attraction, the gaslit atmosphere of London in October is the perfect setting for this investigation into the unknown. Through it all, the intrepid pair is always one step behind the latest villain—a man who has killed once and will stop at nothing to recover the body of the woman he loved. Will they unmask him in time to save his next victim? Or will they become the latest figures to be immortalized in his collection of horrors?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>MY Thoughts: </b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Veronica is irrepresible, determined/stubborn, whip-smart, sharp tongued, a huricane, and a hoot. Stoker (Mr. Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane) is Veronica's reclusive and cranky love and sleuthing partner who looks like a pirate but has a vulnerable heart. They have settled into their couple status and their feelings for each other which has some tender moments. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Fearless journalist J.J. Butterworth, the British version of Nellie Bly, joins the team again. Detective Mornaday, often complaining and put-upon, is the only policeman they trust and though he is having a personal rough time, he jumps into the investigation. A new addition is a golden Marmoset monkey who adores Stoker-but Rose, daughter of their benefactor, likes to dress up the monkey and put bows in her hair, which provides comedic relief throughout. And this book has laugh-out-loud moments.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The plot is to find out the identity of this poor girl, which becomes a hunt for justice for her. Both quests take the team on a journey with several twists. I'm not a fast reader, but I read this quickly (for me) since I was so captivated by the story. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ms Rayburn digs up some of the most interesting historical tidbits and in this outing she introduces us to a funeral train which carries the coffin and mourners to the gravesite for internment. The London Necropolis Railway was the name of the system real life train. In this book we have an underground version, which provides a great creepy setting for a few scenes. Fantastic job for a really macabre and chilling backdrop. Also the world of physically accurate wax models, Anatomical Venuses, for medical training adds to the disturbing and even surreal atmosphere of the investigation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The climatic killer confrontation was wonderfully tense and hair-raising. I have to give kudos for every climax in this series has been unique and exciting. Besides the creativity of a murder victim embalmed as a wax figure! The wrap up sees things resolved satisfactorily on most every thread.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now for a note on the writing style. Not only does Ms. Rayburn write historical fiction with accuracy but she inflects the style of speaking without loosing the reader. I'm not one to rapsidize on beautiful sentences or turns of phrase, but she adds to the time period and Veronica's character with her writing style.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have read most of the books in this series and I felt this was one of the top three so far.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: </b> Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will</i></b></span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><i> enjoy it.</i></b></p><p><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05eBwttcLk93qFwVtVI1BsISPZV2rWG36VyPtsy1ODK6vcm6Yyc_CXJOfxmGADDpVlGqBDvwoI2RZc2Gcw2WABJKSGJpZq059hGQbQmXx2SfDq3_GoLgi-kJ1hfBeXjvU-gJYdmQJcOrVlhdJXMYt9gNLu7kVCo3xn9MMr_P5i3o4pG1t6q3eeVMJjJI/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05eBwttcLk93qFwVtVI1BsISPZV2rWG36VyPtsy1ODK6vcm6Yyc_CXJOfxmGADDpVlGqBDvwoI2RZc2Gcw2WABJKSGJpZq059hGQbQmXx2SfDq3_GoLgi-kJ1hfBeXjvU-gJYdmQJcOrVlhdJXMYt9gNLu7kVCo3xn9MMr_P5i3o4pG1t6q3eeVMJjJI/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></b></div><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /><i><br /></i></b><p></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-53226532293058274922024-03-11T03:37:00.002-06:002024-03-14T23:07:10.299-06:00Mystery Movie Review - Argylle<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Argylle (pronounced Are-Gile). As part of the marketing for this movie, an espionage book series has begun under the pen name Elly Conway (the author in the movie). I reviewed the book (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2024/03/review-argylle.html" target="_blank">click here</a>). In July 2021, it was announced that Argylle was intended to be first of a series of at least three films.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSFhFmeWPq5lNBNofFz5FecMdYetD7BJ6ZEDPieOireZm4alFFcu8qpDZOMOjpzIcevG8FCszwfJNCOKGh6uMDPmOCwj4GsKs8-uIAJLY589igsvTozlHeuDQilRi-BPqSE_aTAw-mhAN_Th44f708U1_NXE7nD9Dr2VXFs5Cr7Paaxu8e8CKMhztcPU/s1200/ArgyllePoster.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSFhFmeWPq5lNBNofFz5FecMdYetD7BJ6ZEDPieOireZm4alFFcu8qpDZOMOjpzIcevG8FCszwfJNCOKGh6uMDPmOCwj4GsKs8-uIAJLY589igsvTozlHeuDQilRi-BPqSE_aTAw-mhAN_Th44f708U1_NXE7nD9Dr2VXFs5Cr7Paaxu8e8CKMhztcPU/w419-h236/ArgyllePoster.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><u>Movie Blurb: </u></b>"Elly Conway, an introverted spy novelist who seldom leaves her home, is drawn into the real world of espionage when the plots of her books get a little too close to the activities of a sinister underground syndicate. When Aiden, a spy, shows up to save her (he claims) from being kidnapped or killed (maybe both), Elly and her beloved cat Alfie are plunged into a covert world where nothing, and no one, is what it seems."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><u>What's It About?: </u></b> This is a spoof on the spy genre of movies with plenty of laughs and near soap opera twists with a few over the top scenes (I'm thinking of the ice skating scene). It is reminiscent of James Bond and Jason Bourne with a touch of Maxwell Smart thrown in for laughs. </span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Taglines:</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Once you know the secret don't let the cat out of the bag. (refers to the ultimate twist in the story--shhh)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The greater the spy, the bigger the lie.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">____________________________</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>PG-13</b> , 2h 19m</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Director</b> Matthew Vaughn</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Writer</b> Jason Fuchs</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Starring:</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Henry Cavill as Argylle</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sam Rockwell as Aidan Wilde</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Samuel L. Jackson as Alfie</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Bryan Cranston as Director Ritter</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dua Lipa as Lagrange</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ariana DeBose as Keira</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The cast features two Oscar winners (Sam Rockwell and Ariana DeBose) and three Oscar nominees (Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston, and Richard E. Grant)</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Reviews:</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Critics Consensus generally poor</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Argylle gets some mileage out of its silly, energetic spin on the spy thriller, but ultimately wears out its welcome with a convoluted plot and <i>overlong runtime</i>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Audience Says</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Argylle is an entertaining spy comedy with over-the-top action and plenty of surprises, although the fun starts to run out toward the end of its <i>overlong runtime</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"Simultaneously cleverly complex and gleefully shallow, this slick, twisty spy movie borrows bits and pieces from earlier movies but links them together in a surprising and entertaining way." Jeffrey Anderson of Common Sense Media</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"It's best to not take this film too seriously and allow yourself to enjoy the ridiculous ride. "Argylle" is a fast-paced, witty, and action-packed spy comedy that's well worth seeing on the big screen." Susan Kamyab of AWFJ.org</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"Argylle ultimately buckles under the weight of its own ambition, and the end result is a messy, overlong (if entertaining) romp." Lauren Coates of Chicago Reader</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"It probably should have been 30 minutes shorter, but it's fun." Lael Loewenstein of FilmWeek (KPCC-NPR Los Angeles).</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Trivia:</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Matthew Vaughn cast Henry Cavill because "he needed someone who was born to play James Bond - which Henry is - and then nick him before Bond's studio did." Cavill was in fact a finalist to play Bond in Casino Royale (2006), but was rejected for being too young (he was then 22).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The very last scene, just as the credits begin, is a scene from the actual book and is teased it will be the next movie. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Alfie the Cat is played by Chip, owned by Matthew Vaughn's wife Claudia Schiffer. Alfie the cat is a Scottish Fold breed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Henry Cavill is allergic to cats.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is the fourth spy film for Henry Cavill. The other three are: The Cold Light of Day (2012), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) and Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Argylle (pronounced Are-Gile) is named after the limo driver from the first Die Hard movie. I love this one little tidbit 😀</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When Argylle is talking to the agent on the Hong Kong rooftop, he says "No time to Die". The name of a Bond movie. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Matthew Vaughn secured the rights to The Beatles' song "Now and Then" a year before it was released. "Now and Then," is featured prominently throughout the movie. The song, which was finished in 2023 by surviving band members Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr, has its origins in 1977, when it was written and sung by late member John Lennon on a demo cassette. During the Beatles Anthology in 1995, members including guitarist George Harrison worked on the song, but couldn't get the sound quality good enough to be released. Sir Peter Jackson, fresh off the hit Disney+ series The Beatles: Get Back (2021), used cutting edge machine learning technology to make the song possible by isolating vocals by Lennon. The song was released in November 2023, three months before this movie. **I personally thought that tied in with Paul McCartney and Wings doing "Live and Let Die" for the James Bond movie of the same title.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In October 2023, Matthew Vaughn announced his plans to create a larger spy-themed universe through his Marv Studios, with that universe being interconnected and comprising the Kingsman films, the Argylle films, and an unnamed third series. His intention was to have the new upcoming films in each series culminate in a crossover in the future.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Before Elly and Aidan leave for Saudi Arabia, Alfie (Samuel L. Jackson) tells them "Let's get you suited and booted!" The phrase 'Suited and Booted' was previously used as the marketing tagline for Kingsman 2.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Director Matthew Vaughn describes this movie as his ode to 1980s action movies like Die Hard (1988) and Lethal Weapon (1987).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jason Fuchs, who is credited as the writer for Argylle, makes a brief appearance as the moderator for Elly Conway's book readings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">At one point, Bryce Dallas Howard's character kicks off her high heels and changes into more durable boots. This may be a tongue-in-cheek reference to one of her previous films, 'Jurassic World,' in which her character was mocked by fans for wearing high heels while trudging through a jungle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When Elly arrives at the Savoy and sits on an armchair, there are three books that can be prominently seen on a bookshelf behind her. The most prominent book stands out starkly in red, and is titled 'Claudia Schiffer.' The director, Matthew Vaughn, is married to Claudia Schiffer.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have to admit I haven't laughed that much in a long time. I will also admit it could have dropped 30 minutes and been better off for it, particularly if they lost at least one twist (out of something like 11 twists) and a convoluted scene and shortened several others. With that all said, it has an all star cast and they pulled it off in spite of those draw backs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I love the music and many of the camera shots were impressive. The CGI was a bit obvious in a few shots, even for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">With that all said, I am really looking forward to the next movie, which from the post credit teaser (<a href="https://youtu.be/05ucYP1lKgY?si=uEUxey_Kzga6-rSJ" target="_blank">click here</a>) seems it will be based on the book with Agent Argylle's origin story. If that's the case, it will be a good solid spy plot with action. That teaser scene is shortly before he is recruited by the CIA.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I also have to confess that Matthew Vaughn isn't my favorite director because the Kingsmen movies were just too graphically violent for me, so I appreciated this movie not being so graphic. Vaughn better not make the next Argylle movie graphic and violent or I'm going to be really pissed. I recommend it, but keep in mind it is a spoof, over-the-top, and it's a little too long.</span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Official Trailer</span></u></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hGtBhaafq70?si=vvguCI5bBsZvyYhr" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<br /></span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDH04-w157JpO0nUxipw6JWt6fNZLMSkIeVMVrh1QWRoT-QAWzLWhp12rxNmYNlXWGiP12mGRiVsWYUpK0Kbyc72JlnAVyxN1nLXty7zgmWeG1BM32OQEMkiIF3w5saC072lkGI6ZjigF8rxnjr-RUDaBw9wgJlaCKrrtBxmf3OvOA7L5IjkRKmqnbB4/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDH04-w157JpO0nUxipw6JWt6fNZLMSkIeVMVrh1QWRoT-QAWzLWhp12rxNmYNlXWGiP12mGRiVsWYUpK0Kbyc72JlnAVyxN1nLXty7zgmWeG1BM32OQEMkiIF3w5saC072lkGI6ZjigF8rxnjr-RUDaBw9wgJlaCKrrtBxmf3OvOA7L5IjkRKmqnbB4/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-56651221336888255302024-03-07T15:54:00.001-07:002024-03-12T13:37:11.007-06:00Review - Argylle<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Remember the popular television show <i>Castle</i> about a bestselling novelist who rides along/shadows a NY city homicide detective to get inspiration for his next crime series? Remember how actual novels were written to tie into the television show under the name Richard Castle? Today I review the novel spinoff from the recent movie Argylle staring Henry Caville, Samuel L Jackson, Bryan Cranston, and Sam Rockwell that is the same situation as the <i>Castle</i> inspired novels. The movie was conceived... and then the book became a marketing tactic or extension of the movie. The movie concept is a popular author of spy novels, Elly Conway, is in the eye of the CIA for how plausible the plots are in her novel. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There was some excitement for a hot minute over who was the actual author until it was revealed that Australian novelist and screenwriter Terry Hayes and British author Tammy Cohen wrote the book under the pseudonym Elly Conway at the request of Director Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman: Secret Service).</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Let's find out how the book does on its own as a spy novel. FYI, I will be watching the movie and reviewing it shortly, but I wanted to read the book first. It is rumored the book will be a series, but I will list it as standalone for now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLA1cupGEpAt-9CJ8ANPxuQbgF8iW4c7EUdH9r0ZX37nT70HQfKNXYNWQrVZDZxCPD6Qeq3jk0mcRzuM1MNvrX8u-3ryFdccV2-y_GNpNu5E9CtgUg_PHDOmK4nfSkV4nxcXbxNGQUCMGZ1OUffnZfT-HQxZu1PVtnyXLAC0WL88OmcIR5Qiz6W4kXn4/s1000/Argylle.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="678" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLA1cupGEpAt-9CJ8ANPxuQbgF8iW4c7EUdH9r0ZX37nT70HQfKNXYNWQrVZDZxCPD6Qeq3jk0mcRzuM1MNvrX8u-3ryFdccV2-y_GNpNu5E9CtgUg_PHDOmK4nfSkV4nxcXbxNGQUCMGZ1OUffnZfT-HQxZu1PVtnyXLAC0WL88OmcIR5Qiz6W4kXn4/w354-h523/Argylle.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><b>Author: </b>Elly Conway</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Copyright:</b> Jan 2024 (Bantam) 384 pgs</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Series:</b> Standalone at this point</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sensuality:</b> some violence, not graphic</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Espionage, spy, intrigue</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Main Character: </b>Aubrey Argylle, Parents were hippies who were killed when he was a teen, living in a shack leading tours to Budhist temple in Thailand then recruited by CIA</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Setting:</b> Modern day, Thailand Jungle, Poland, Germany, Monaco, Greece</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Obtained Through:</b> Personal purchase</div><div> </div><div><b>Book Blurb: </b> "One Russian magnate's dream of restoring a nation to greatness has set in motion a chain of events which will take the world to the brink of chaos. Only Frances Coffey, the CIA's most legendary spymaster, can prevent it. But to do so, she needs someone special.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enter Argylle. His life came to a crashing halt as a teenager. Since then he has been treading water, building barriers between himself and the world. Until one moment of compassion and brilliance will bring him to the attention of the most powerful woman in the secret world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coffey knows all about Argylle's dark past. She knows it haunts him. But she also knows it may give him the skills to join the team going up against one of the most powerful men in the world. His crash course in espionage will take him from the jungles of Thailand to the boulevards of Monaco, from the monasteries of Mount Athos to a forgotten cavern buried deep in the mountains.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is a deathly rollercoaster ride that will either make him - or break him..."</div><div><br /></div><div><b>My Thoughts: </b> </div><div><div>Aubrey Argylle is a slacker living a bare-bones existance until events show he has everything necessary to be a successful spy. Frances Coffey, struggling to stop smoking thoughout, lives and breathes the job. She started in the file room and worked her way up to director. This isn't a 007 lone operative situation, Aubrey has to work within a 12 person team. Vasily Federov, soul-less Russian Oligarch characterized with "dead" eyes and a vicious calculating nature, is the world threat. Federov is, to me at least, a Putin character that was changed just enough to not get slapped for using him. His dead eyes and ruthlessness are in line with prior KGB cut throat who throws opponents out windows.</div></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The first several chapters are about how Aubrey Argylle gets recruited by the CIA, then training with the twelve member team. It is an established team with Aubrey replacing one team member who had been imprisoned a few months prior for spying against the US, so everyone's on edge. Aubrey is a loner mostly and has a hard time learning to work as a team, and many on the team don't like nor trust Aubrey. I liked seeing how this long-haired slacker gets recruited into the CIA and then what it took to get the team dynamic to work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Thriller and espionage novels get a bad reputation as being all flashy plot and not much character development. I'll grant you that this book wasn't primarily character focused, but it had enough to give Argylle some depth when it came to his childhood and his untraditional parents. It was also enough for me to be vested in Frances Coffey as the spy-master. Could there have been more time spent on character development, perhaps, but it might have slowed the story down too much.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is a case of a traditionally published book with poor editing. There were several instances of missed typos and such. If such occurances are a deal-breaker to you, don't read the book. I noticed them but it didn't stop my enjoyment of the rest of the book. There are occurances of European spelling usage and since an Australian and a Brit wrote it, I'll give them that. The emphasis isn't on pretty prose either.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It has plenty of action, suspense, a twist or two, and character rivalry. Secret codes and risky assignments keep the pacing rocketing along. Chapters change point-of-view, but I like that style to keep it exciting. It shows how a US versus Russia cold war never really ended with the Berlin wall coming down, only changed the nature of the cold war to a more modern version.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To some degree the legendary Russian Amber Room (called the eighth wonder of the world) is part of the plot, and it fascinated me enough to look into the history of it further. That is a compliment to the authors that it was presented in a way that made history interesting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: </b>Good - A fun read I found very entertaining. The errors might throw some people, but the plot and characters were well done with excellent pacing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here is a short video on the amazing Amber Room.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QE0F0o9yuPk?si=JBz0gJ1M7joZe8Q4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lus4Q5-5CmmMDs1LXJRJaj7Apf28bDnok9GZBEKyafffoXAayZdiIQwz_LdKcqnqYbvPIviUwhfub8WZY2P28dnjuEiAIuD1XokITO5V6qrzMsdlhej0wiQd43gAqXPxQjt3TKMh9bjgqyZZbOu3_uypS_ePMxalCoL1eCcxHLjjotwsF9zTutc4BvA/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lus4Q5-5CmmMDs1LXJRJaj7Apf28bDnok9GZBEKyafffoXAayZdiIQwz_LdKcqnqYbvPIviUwhfub8WZY2P28dnjuEiAIuD1XokITO5V6qrzMsdlhej0wiQd43gAqXPxQjt3TKMh9bjgqyZZbOu3_uypS_ePMxalCoL1eCcxHLjjotwsF9zTutc4BvA/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-40444148986601867782024-03-03T15:44:00.002-07:002024-03-03T15:44:46.276-07:00Musings - Police Procedural, Thriller, and Intrigue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidlhqrwyRaC9n2h9FkCoie5VW8zqLD9h9v0sEga-6ugP8SgGAeXepH5nHFmXHefLc-vD4Vw5gsWk3XDLot3FRW7FD_AcRJ639V9HsVho9fGMIPjng6UKVpQAtpBRhvi_6Et7fhnRp7CxILrb2vFKiZwBLAluN3MANQHdbqVC9BlZoiYLKZQOTaQz-x-g/s600/MysteryDefinitions2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidlhqrwyRaC9n2h9FkCoie5VW8zqLD9h9v0sEga-6ugP8SgGAeXepH5nHFmXHefLc-vD4Vw5gsWk3XDLot3FRW7FD_AcRJ639V9HsVho9fGMIPjng6UKVpQAtpBRhvi_6Et7fhnRp7CxILrb2vFKiZwBLAluN3MANQHdbqVC9BlZoiYLKZQOTaQz-x-g/w552-h184/MysteryDefinitions2.jpg" width="552" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I did a prior post on the differences between Cozy, Traditional, and Amateur Sleuth novels (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/10/musings-cozy-traditional-and-amateur.html" target="_blank">click here</a>).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now we will tackle the difference between the detective fiction, police procedurals, thrillers, and intrigue sub-categories of the mystery genre.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Some believe that all mysteries started with detective fiction in mid 1800s and everything from police procedural and thrillers to cozy mysteries has evolved from it. Whether that is true or not, these categories have developed a lot, particularly in the last few decades. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This isn't an exhaustive breakdown and analysis but it provides a fair guideline. These categories are defined differently depending upon who you read/talk to. I have tried to provide plenty of examples to help illustrate these categories only to aid in understanding what you like and how to find similar novels. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbRrkO5Kzoce0WZhdJ62c2OgiI0HMVhyK6vWFOiBLHWPIrQ5QQObAwqvh5b6JCrobNTJ3qHuVOcjhb3AAgOshvKWL7fPYeyf_oozIgH7_LEO6aa-d9bPu5DMAp1efkJ2KZK6i9ioD9ofnExeQNQYlngeSng90OvFkvPK99WgWO_FH6yXbbLUlqlXiF2I/s1257/SherlockPipeMagnifyingGlass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1257" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbRrkO5Kzoce0WZhdJ62c2OgiI0HMVhyK6vWFOiBLHWPIrQ5QQObAwqvh5b6JCrobNTJ3qHuVOcjhb3AAgOshvKWL7fPYeyf_oozIgH7_LEO6aa-d9bPu5DMAp1efkJ2KZK6i9ioD9ofnExeQNQYlngeSng90OvFkvPK99WgWO_FH6yXbbLUlqlXiF2I/s320/SherlockPipeMagnifyingGlass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Detective Fiction</b> to include the Private Detective and CSI,<br /> <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Detective Fiction: For our purposes to define a slice of the bigger mystery genre: The detective (private detective or other professional that is adjacent) investigates a crime, often murder. Includes the hard-boiled and noir fiction as well as historical detectives. These range from not much graphic details to gore, depending upon the author.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Many of the historic detective fiction may have a titled or influential/wealthy person investigating even though they don't get paid. That is a detail of the time period because the titled nobility weren't to "work" for a living, but they still classify as detectives sought out to investigate and use their influence. These can vary from cozy to very gritty. Examples follow:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">CS Harris's Sebastion St Cyr</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Charles Finch's Charles Lennox series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Andrea Penrose's Wrexford and Sloane series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dorothy Sayer's Lord Peter Wimsey series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dashiel Hammet's Sam Spade series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jeffrey Dever's Colter Shaw series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">CJ Box's Joe Picket (Game Warden) series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYF4U_4xLWcnZ8ZxR1lJPTMvkSSsLjaoO9aSE5G2CE1pj8UjlV4jnj63hmCP4SQElnrYVBpX5xWlTG4fZopipaJFdkoAgNf5b8RSdwOwjChAaxuaSIfmBkD9PYpaaWzktuFsoi7CrH75EV_Bh9UoFgXQsMXUmV0lOhcdkDZ0XJNUOQ_QAjQz-AP_6jDM/s2448/PoliceOfficerBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2448" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYF4U_4xLWcnZ8ZxR1lJPTMvkSSsLjaoO9aSE5G2CE1pj8UjlV4jnj63hmCP4SQElnrYVBpX5xWlTG4fZopipaJFdkoAgNf5b8RSdwOwjChAaxuaSIfmBkD9PYpaaWzktuFsoi7CrH75EV_Bh9UoFgXQsMXUmV0lOhcdkDZ0XJNUOQ_QAjQz-AP_6jDM/s320/PoliceOfficerBlue.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Police Procedural</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The police procedural is focused on the official law enforcement and its procedures, including police-related topics such as forensic science, autopsies, gathering evidence, search warrants, interrogation, and adherence to legal restrictions and procedures. They may have more graphic descriptions, swearing, and the harsher side of life shown.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While many police procedurals conceal the criminal's identity until the crime is solved in the climatic killer reveal or confrontation (the so-called whodunit), others reveal the perpetrator's identity to the audience early in the narrative for a twist and more suspense. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Examples follow:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">J.D. Robb's In Death series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">James Patterson's Detective Alex Cross series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">James D Doss's Charlie Moon series (early books)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian Rankin's Detective Inspector John Rebus series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Robert Galbraith Cormoran Strike series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">P.D. James' Adam Dalgliesh series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jeffrey Dever's Lincoln Rhymes series</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG9tleefZgoqOk5LU-D9fToYQ-0KFmfiBUTEWYx0LEsBEQMKpX7-Xu7gV7BnWLm1ZfKH6i6cv5isLYVtf8uzXXBN_sq1KqPGYgGYMnkzE3ivQ6vxSQJLaiXyQxKQaipfOUSk56rUkvwO4_gDgSsj60U-0R-VFQ-lh10Ge30jCVmA6uCfIbrXlMyszeZ8/s642/BombWithFuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="642" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG9tleefZgoqOk5LU-D9fToYQ-0KFmfiBUTEWYx0LEsBEQMKpX7-Xu7gV7BnWLm1ZfKH6i6cv5isLYVtf8uzXXBN_sq1KqPGYgGYMnkzE3ivQ6vxSQJLaiXyQxKQaipfOUSk56rUkvwO4_gDgSsj60U-0R-VFQ-lh10Ge30jCVmA6uCfIbrXlMyszeZ8/s320/BombWithFuse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thriller: </b>Suspense, Political, Action, Psychological, Women-<br />in-jeopardy, Legal etc.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The thriller genre has taken off and contains many subcategories including Suspense thriller, political thriller, legal thriller, medical thriller, psychological thriller, conspiracy thriller, military thriller, and even the serial killer thriller. Thus, it makes it difficult to provide general description that adequately includes each of these sub-genres.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The thriller umbrella often includes a race against a ticking clock--a sense of urgency, bigger stakes, and higher tension and suspense. A "thriller" doesn't have to be non-stop action and thrills, although they can. Thrillers are more about stopping something from happening with little time rather than finding out who already committed a murder or crime. They can range anywhere from cozy to gritty to violent with sex. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Examples follow:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dan Brown's novels including Robert Langdon series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Mary Higgins Clark's (Queen of Suspense) body of work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">David Baldacci's The Camel Club series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series (some could be intrigue as well)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">James Patterson's Shadow Thrillers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Andrew Mayne's Jessica Blackwood Thrillers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Catherine Coulter's FBI Thrillers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">John Grisham Legal Thrillers: The Firm etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Lisa Scottoline's Mistaken Identity etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">C.G. Abbot's The Society (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2019/03/guest-post-cg-abbot.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">David Baldacci's First Family (Maxwell and King series)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG47sP0ljXFlaRfJVXe4xywz8aF3L1mkgvVa2tWGXT9hw5AdZeerzZTwMUYFcKWk7kuDsYngfIAkFWrShOy82XBNOloij3eKjynRpzAulVwS6s1sHuZi6Gg-oSpB7zGc8xYgioPZRIQFRHEdromjGM9ShI_ZcifMhFiumL0UJgBQwxRLyffdURpJYZr_8/s820/TopSecret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="820" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG47sP0ljXFlaRfJVXe4xywz8aF3L1mkgvVa2tWGXT9hw5AdZeerzZTwMUYFcKWk7kuDsYngfIAkFWrShOy82XBNOloij3eKjynRpzAulVwS6s1sHuZi6Gg-oSpB7zGc8xYgioPZRIQFRHEdromjGM9ShI_ZcifMhFiumL0UJgBQwxRLyffdURpJYZr_8/s320/TopSecret.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Espionage and Intrigue</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is spy fiction: as in spy vs spy, discovering a spy in your midst, the world of assasins for national security, or domestic terrorist threats. Typically this involves nations but with real world corporate espionage occuring, that has become furtile ground for novelists, too. They can vary on violence, language and sex depending upon the author. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Examples follow:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Stella Rimington's (real life former Director General of MI5) Liz Carlyle series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Gayle Lynds' The Assassins and The Last Spymaster</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">David Baldacci's Will Robie series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">John le Carré books</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Mark Greaney's Gray Man series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Mick Herron's Slough House series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ian Fleming's James Bond series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There you have the differences between these sub-categories of the Mystery genre. I hope these give you clarity and aid you in finding what you enjoy so you can find more of that type. Or, perhaps you have some new books to look into and widen your reading horizons. That to-be-read pile is getting bigger :-)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnmJ-rB3kyrk1DpkpMTi_SFlvD7GMZZaI89OY64HCFeNSTB-9jVt2q6LwB3ZBbDfhrisIxGMpmOEfyY8UBwJDerQZPVacXvaqPvAPCiaDMY2Y2Zlv1qH61R_IkfDc2-Vh72XlWQE47cW2QZ3osdVZUxMbU6UXhJUuVs6T0vj1blQWpvPpMybYqNsczU8/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnmJ-rB3kyrk1DpkpMTi_SFlvD7GMZZaI89OY64HCFeNSTB-9jVt2q6LwB3ZBbDfhrisIxGMpmOEfyY8UBwJDerQZPVacXvaqPvAPCiaDMY2Y2Zlv1qH61R_IkfDc2-Vh72XlWQE47cW2QZ3osdVZUxMbU6UXhJUuVs6T0vj1blQWpvPpMybYqNsczU8/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-29225593619264496172024-02-29T22:22:00.001-07:002024-03-03T23:19:13.703-07:00Review - Murder at a Scottish Castle<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Traci Hall is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty books across an array of genres, from cozy mysteries to contemporary seaside romances, YA, and nonfiction. She is also the co-author of the Salem B&B Mystery series as Traci Wilton which I have reviewed a few of those. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is my first Scottish Shire of hers and I will have to go back to the beginning of this series because I love books based in the UK. Although this isn't the first book in the series, I had no problem jumping in and feeling at home with the story, characters, and setting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSkImYs1Cl0ALjcyN6AyHVWUfdmH0A5hyphenhyphene1yqLxL8X0ElcB46sLffaGGPyi6ZoPwUg4g6Lyhz8PqHTy_HiYH_gGc_jje0Hhyphenhyphenq4dbvjhTSKKsLZ0tBWXWbThdCSn8t_J2VaFrxoY9GrSiD0qtTudrCMcl_-m-_4eb84dclBozC20gV6XujT0lAI2sgckA/s1500/MurderAtAScottishCastle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSkImYs1Cl0ALjcyN6AyHVWUfdmH0A5hyphenhyphene1yqLxL8X0ElcB46sLffaGGPyi6ZoPwUg4g6Lyhz8PqHTy_HiYH_gGc_jje0Hhyphenhyphenq4dbvjhTSKKsLZ0tBWXWbThdCSn8t_J2VaFrxoY9GrSiD0qtTudrCMcl_-m-_4eb84dclBozC20gV6XujT0lAI2sgckA/w330-h496/MurderAtAScottishCastle.jpg" width="330" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Traci Hall</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Jan 2024 (Kensington Cozies) 305 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 5th in A Scottish Shire mystery series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Paislee Shaw, owner/operator of Cashmere Crush Sweater & Yarn Shop</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> Modern day, Nairn, Scotland</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb: </b> "With the summer days getting shorter in the seaside village of Nairn, the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle promises to be quite the end-of-season blowout. Paisley has snagged a special invitation from the dowager countess, who wants to showcase her cashmere goods in the castle gift shop, and she’s brought her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There’s a fierce rivalry between Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon, and last year’s winner Jory Baxter, with Grant loudly vowing to show up the blowhard Baxter and claim clan bragging rights. But the reigning champion has barely put the reed to his lips when he turns red and collapses, soon to take his dying breath. DI Zeffer suspects foul play."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>MY Thoughts:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Paislee Shaw is a single mother also caring for her grandfather while running her own small business. She is resilient and has little time nor extra money which is why getting to sell her hand knit sweaters at the castle is a big opportunity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Her best friend, Lydia, is married and trying to help Paislee date more. Hamish McCall, Fordythe High Primary's headmaster has gone on two dates with Paisley and is a good guy, steady and dependable. Detective Inspector Mack Zeffer seems to like Paislee but it is a really slow burn there. Her son Grady is a good kid and Grandfather is a little eccentric but loves her dearly. I was afraid Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon, and head of the Castle would be offered up as a romantic interest, but thankfully that wasn't the direction since he is a suspect. Sorcha, the dowager countess and Robert's mother, is working hard to bring extra income into the castles accounts since it is expensive to keep and she seems genuine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The castle and the town of Nairn are charming and you get a bit of insight into the Great Highland Bagpipe (GHB) and other styles of bagpipes. I thought it was interesting. This comes in with rumors that the murdered man had cheated at the prior year's competition to win--only how do you cheat at bagpipes? Plus how do you kill a person in front of everyone during a competition?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The pacing was full with Paislee trying to investigate per Sorcha's request, run her shop, knit special orders, deal with a sudden major home repair, go on a date with Hamish, and deal with a car failing her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The killer reveal was a bit scary and unexpected, well done there. All in all this was full of interesting characters and a good mystery. A good escape in this story and immersive setting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating:</b> Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list</span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vk_jZuUyKG7B9ZT4zX1OJQrUh6o5dzDkrmQ7TZjvp9drhxnXPwyExoo1tmz38pm4BgLFa5_RxGBfLFtCrUnyfw6k1KHhPYVaxVc_kFuThuhou8DPTd8iEKaDOrdAKKvlE8bS2D7f9dff0aItbcQXeoS3TEyOfJu-u0qH2VmnXoTDQTRcniXzdrpXmHM/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vk_jZuUyKG7B9ZT4zX1OJQrUh6o5dzDkrmQ7TZjvp9drhxnXPwyExoo1tmz38pm4BgLFa5_RxGBfLFtCrUnyfw6k1KHhPYVaxVc_kFuThuhou8DPTd8iEKaDOrdAKKvlE8bS2D7f9dff0aItbcQXeoS3TEyOfJu-u0qH2VmnXoTDQTRcniXzdrpXmHM/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-27718082203063091792024-02-24T01:12:00.000-07:002024-02-24T01:12:07.498-07:00Review - Death at a Scottish Wedding<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I started with the first book in this new series:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1) An American in Scotland (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/02/review-american-in-scotland.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The second book is released featuring a deadly wedding held in a Scottish castle. Talk about a great setup for murder!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfp7xAMmEpmBtKq8QwXh5KjzJOfskjRvEPvP_YQ_mD60iRlmWCAMzaOfmGlmIzvpx6yLUbSbEAe1nCFxzdwmgWHOOZUuKutTnzm9Bs0HRwGiibHjuJsH49j3AeGltM38Gi5gV4OrkmqSa0oG0hjS2DzoTkD9XPRohYBIFBVo-x2OgMa5SJ3sy8PVqI-W0/s1000/DeathAtAScottishWedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfp7xAMmEpmBtKq8QwXh5KjzJOfskjRvEPvP_YQ_mD60iRlmWCAMzaOfmGlmIzvpx6yLUbSbEAe1nCFxzdwmgWHOOZUuKutTnzm9Bs0HRwGiibHjuJsH49j3AeGltM38Gi5gV4OrkmqSa0oG0hjS2DzoTkD9XPRohYBIFBVo-x2OgMa5SJ3sy8PVqI-W0/w327-h491/DeathAtAScottishWedding.jpg" width="327" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Lucy Connelly</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> January 2024 (Crooked Lane Books) 265 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 2nd in A Scottish Isle mystery series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Emilia McRoy, American ER Doctor, now all purpose country physician and coroner</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> Modern day-- Sea Isle, Scotland</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Book Blurb:</b> "Finally feeling like Sea Isle, Scotland is becoming her new home, American doctor Emilia McRoy is delighted when she is invited to a wedding at Morrigan's Castle. Her friends have warned her that it's a three-day party and it's bound to get wild, not to mention the impending snowstorm. Constable Ewan Campbell, owner of the castle, ensures their safety with the blizzard. What he didn’t ensure, is that all of his guests would survive the night alive. When Emilia explores the impressive castle, she finds a dead man [ex-boyfriend of the bride who wasn't invited] in one of the turrets.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The snowstorm hits and the local police can’t reach the castle until it lets up. With no one able to leave, the family insists they carry on with the wedding, which makes Emilia's job as the coroner a bit easier—the suspects are in one place––and complicated because the killer has Emilia in his sights. The fact no one claims to know the victim isn't helping. Why would someone no one knows be murdered at a castle in the middle of nowhere?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It’s up to Emilia to uncover the mystery who the victim is, so the killer doesn’t get away Scot free."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>MY Thoughts:</b> Emelia is still recovering from the death of her husband and is finding Scotland healing her grief. Best friends Mara, Angie, and Abigail are the besties we all wish we had. Constable Ewan, the wealthy laird and constable is the potential romantic interest. This is an extreme slow burn of a romance with some head-butting between them with obvious chemistry, I hope the author will give us a bit more in the next installment because the few hints that Ewan may like her are few and stiff. I can see Ewan waiting to see if she is going to stick around before becoming invested in her, but throw us readers something to hang onto.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The castle is a great setting, but I wish it's atmosphere had been punched up a wee bit because I love a creepy gothic atmosphere. All the Scottish wedding traditions are a great touch and added so much to the sense of place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The plot is a classic stranded with a murderer premise with the investigation trying to answer why the victim snuck into the wedding, who helped him to get into the castle, and who killed him... and is attempting to kill the bride and stop Emelia in her gathering of evidence. All these questions have many possible answers that seem all over the place and thus confusing the investigation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The pacing did seem a little off at times. The second in a series is always tough and the stranded setting is challenging to keep enough movement and sense of urgency. I was still interested and kept turning the pages, though. For me some of the wedding guests' personalities started to grate on me--as if I were stuck there with them!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: </b> Excellent - A fun read! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list</span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p><b><i></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtJjBZoiNzfmU9SZkkWtFy0wWW8I5Fa9DnldTjO9E7vVMi8tRKQtvgquvKEf97NJutFTsQ_1VTYZwxRNZqASpEB37XxnwjD8UhNvE0NveKSIHniKBzLfoIfjgUseDTx7d-G84jfBf-V6s1EMTJaGIUGfjhit6fh0w8r5qWoMeyIyP2JycYGwzONjtpKQ/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtJjBZoiNzfmU9SZkkWtFy0wWW8I5Fa9DnldTjO9E7vVMi8tRKQtvgquvKEf97NJutFTsQ_1VTYZwxRNZqASpEB37XxnwjD8UhNvE0NveKSIHniKBzLfoIfjgUseDTx7d-G84jfBf-V6s1EMTJaGIUGfjhit6fh0w8r5qWoMeyIyP2JycYGwzONjtpKQ/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></i></b></div><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><p></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-30116054980267487042024-02-18T15:35:00.003-07:002024-02-18T15:44:47.953-07:00Review - The Mayfair Dagger<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The tagline for the book is: "A witty, feminist mystery set in the heart of nineteenth-century London, this daring adventure featuring an intrepid woman detective will thrill fans of Deanna Raybourn and Katharine Schellman." Since I love both those authors, I couldn't wait to read this book. It is available for preorder now with a release date of April 2024.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodRWUYHfGrs96AU0ZUXDyD0QQvN9KyYccQMkw5ZBXvrer2DI9pEFbGU7IdrtrJk8sjvNsae0Kwym5izzM4Z3ug_yrxYTWbRGGdvvHvvqgxLvAjMh0oAvV4Qty43eH9FOawxePe79nm8iISdA8FgFk806m0-PopEPTr7f2ZvedYj5fFdRikSM57xyQsEo/s1500/MayfairDagger.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodRWUYHfGrs96AU0ZUXDyD0QQvN9KyYccQMkw5ZBXvrer2DI9pEFbGU7IdrtrJk8sjvNsae0Kwym5izzM4Z3ug_yrxYTWbRGGdvvHvvqgxLvAjMh0oAvV4Qty43eH9FOawxePe79nm8iISdA8FgFk806m0-PopEPTr7f2ZvedYj5fFdRikSM57xyQsEo/w318-h477/MayfairDagger.jpg" width="318" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author: Ava January</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright: </b>April 2024 (Crooked Lane Books) 304 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series: </b>Mayfair Dagger Standalone? Series?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality: </b>mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre: </b>Historical Cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters: </b>Albertine Honeycombe passing as a Countess</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting: </b>1894,<b> </b>London England</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through: </b>Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Book Blurb:</b> "Albertine Honeycombe never wanted a husband and certainly not the one with fifteen children that her cousin, Aubrey, is trying to marry her off to. She reinvents herself as Countess Von Dagga, a private detective aiding the upper echelons of women in society. As the Countess, she is a married woman, with a conveniently absent husband who doesn’t exist, which allows her far more freedom than being single.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When Lord Grendel, from whom she has recovered blackmail letters, is murdered, Albertine is suspect number one—having been the last person to see him. And when the Duke of Erleigh comes looking for her utterly fictitious husband, she realizes she has landed herself in hot water, without a tea bag. When Albertine also becomes the prime suspect in her fictional husband’s death, things are looking grim.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Unless Albertine can prove who murdered Lord Grendel and clear her name, her choices are stepmothering enough small children to start a school or hanging from the end of Her Majesty's rope."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>MY Thoughts: </b>Albertine Honeycombe, aka Countess Von Dagga, is determined, smart, a bit naive, and kind hearted. She is still grieving the death of her beloved brother while trying to make her own way as a detective. Her best friend and maid, Joan, is a hilarious flirt. Spencer Sweetman, Duke of Erleigh, is a Scotland Yard Detective who investigates her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The mystery wasn't that complicated but provided the background for laugh-out-loud situations, romance, and a young lady with good intentions learning some hard lessons about navigating the world she was unprepared for. I know there are those out there that don't like much emphasis on the romance part of mysteries, so take note that this has a stronger romance element than most. It is still a mystery, but it has a strong romantic element. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The killer seemed pretty obvious even with a few red herrings, but the journey was worth it since I became vested in Albertine. I was hooked early and read this pretty fast for me. It kept my interest through the entire book. The climatic reveal was tense and different from any other reveal I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope this will be a series.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: </b> Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wwxf3pI7-8g9x3BbU8EqERkTXKcW7Dg3aI-_tAjDP0yAuhUxQqRptF8GDrwAH_gxMxUxIQWZMRP8m2v-3TPIVsFu5Eal7o46ym1PM8Bzodp0YA3gzdG61A7in_3Cfgsbh314XobdpaXLBXb5ZQgCSrbejNOb9QwAQG6f9W7TAycAdh7JW_SnBirjjIw/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wwxf3pI7-8g9x3BbU8EqERkTXKcW7Dg3aI-_tAjDP0yAuhUxQqRptF8GDrwAH_gxMxUxIQWZMRP8m2v-3TPIVsFu5Eal7o46ym1PM8Bzodp0YA3gzdG61A7in_3Cfgsbh314XobdpaXLBXb5ZQgCSrbejNOb9QwAQG6f9W7TAycAdh7JW_SnBirjjIw/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-1552821182408361952024-02-10T11:19:00.000-07:002024-02-10T11:19:49.038-07:00Review - Death in D Minor<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Hallmark has filmed Gethsemane Brown in the new Haunted Harmony Mysteries staring Tamera Mowry-Housley. So far there is just one movie, but I'm hoping for more as Ms Mowry-Housley brings a bubbly aspect to heroine Gethsemane.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I reviewed the first book in the series Murder in G Major (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2018/05/review-murder-in-g-major.html" target="_blank">click here</a>).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgjiuyQSyC6JsgIiieEQIqCVr3svFR_NeFNGJdhhqIXz0_hVD1wkkTRbapZcisnL5SnWjOjGGLk-KEl00404NWDcw94yitkk2tqMtXcO2y7p25gPHY5D8jfJUtyvTQr2H-SBtGzA3B-tCJP0vzoCp3g4KK6mLpw31AtFwEqm098qUiZkZwx2z9t5Jz5c/s1360/DeathDMinor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="880" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgjiuyQSyC6JsgIiieEQIqCVr3svFR_NeFNGJdhhqIXz0_hVD1wkkTRbapZcisnL5SnWjOjGGLk-KEl00404NWDcw94yitkk2tqMtXcO2y7p25gPHY5D8jfJUtyvTQr2H-SBtGzA3B-tCJP0vzoCp3g4KK6mLpw31AtFwEqm098qUiZkZwx2z9t5Jz5c/w384-h594/DeathDMinor.jpg" width="384" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Alexia Gordon</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> July 2017 (Henery Press) 238 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 2nd in Gethsemane Brown Mystery series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Paranormal Cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Character:</b> Gethsemane Brown, African-American famed classical musician and conductor now teaching classical music and orchestra at boy’s school</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> Modern, town of Dunmullach on Southwest Ireland Coast</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through: </b>Library</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb: </b> "Gethsemane Brown, African-American classical musician and expatriate to an Irish village, solved a string of murders, led a school orchestra to victory in a major competition, and got used to living with a snarky ghost. She can rest easy over the Christmas holiday. Right? Wrong. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The ghost has disappeared, her landlord's about to sell her cottage to a hotel developer, and her brother-in-law is coming for a visit—with one day’s notice. She scrambles to call her spectral roomie back from beyond and find a way to save the cottage from certain destruction. But real estate takes a backseat when her brother-in-law is accused of stealing a valuable antique. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Gethsemane strikes a deal with a garda investigator to go undercover as a musician at a charity ball and snoop for evidence linking antiques to a forgery/theft ring in exchange for the investigator’s help clearing her brother-in-law. At the party, she accidentally conjures the ghost of an eighteenth-century sea captain, then ends up the prime suspect in the party host’s murder. With the captain’s help, she races to untangle a web of phony art and stolen antiques to exonerate herself and her brother-in-law. Then the killer targets her. Will she save herself and bring a thief and murderer to justice, or will her encore investigation become her swan song?"</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Gethsemane never gives up, as she has to deal with complications from all parts of her life in this outing. She shows her metal and her emotional stamina throughout everything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span> Gethsemane is joined by her brother in law, Jackson Applethwaite. But many of the </span>familiar villagers from book one aren't revisited and the potential romantic interests aren't advanced any with this addition. If you don't care much for the romance aspects of cozy mysteries then this will likely suit you. I will be moving on to the third book in the series in short order to see if any likely suitors make any headway.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> This outing has music, murder, art of various kinds, and a new ghost-Captain Lochlan, Captain of The Hesperus, all interwoven with charm and humor throughout.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The dramatic climax on board a train is harrowing and shocking (a quick death is a bit horrible, but not dwelled on). It was a great tense climax as I like them, so kudos. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Overall an easy and entertaining read with a solid mystery and suspenseful moments highlighting the capable heroine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: </b> Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Here is the trailer for the Hallmark Movie adaptation of the first book in the series.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IoRN0Yzm-iI?si=AFHoFjNfVB1O3TiV" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU12qkQwacX17xz8l4jKqeG95U0OQQ6WoroZVy2yXs1JZI-q97Ry-Fnxz2ZfFfpDPf_j43xT9No5ziBxoo1I7OrGykcfdO9uv82B7YoVDKBBJRGOLNo2tK6-O66rifEPbbIP2jW042MjzT9JFRi7xusNccG5pUvi_Q2Q_t4qZ73uotsF1PeLN8e6KIiU/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU12qkQwacX17xz8l4jKqeG95U0OQQ6WoroZVy2yXs1JZI-q97Ry-Fnxz2ZfFfpDPf_j43xT9No5ziBxoo1I7OrGykcfdO9uv82B7YoVDKBBJRGOLNo2tK6-O66rifEPbbIP2jW042MjzT9JFRi7xusNccG5pUvi_Q2Q_t4qZ73uotsF1PeLN8e6KIiU/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-65173044872180881872024-02-05T21:54:00.000-07:002024-02-05T21:54:36.701-07:00Musings - How do Bestseller Lists Work?<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsbsXnqV_6-W5kbGG6HRbBq-7Rs1OP4wICXlFAaz-wgeLyC-LvyxGo3zjH5pm7S2U3gG-zb99nXd5ouA6LO1W_if7MtVO3TLkVQBmJVxIRd0afg3YGMUCrEKR_15I0GGqICESAm2QCqC2KlWc9orTtbjdJI0pUhtz4TAkiMNLQQSeWTMESSCartxFBo8/s1200/BestsellerLists.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsbsXnqV_6-W5kbGG6HRbBq-7Rs1OP4wICXlFAaz-wgeLyC-LvyxGo3zjH5pm7S2U3gG-zb99nXd5ouA6LO1W_if7MtVO3TLkVQBmJVxIRd0afg3YGMUCrEKR_15I0GGqICESAm2QCqC2KlWc9orTtbjdJI0pUhtz4TAkiMNLQQSeWTMESSCartxFBo8/w500-h250/BestsellerLists.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You see the stickers claiming "bestseller" on books all the time, yet often that hasn't been an indication of a book I found enjoyable at all. I thought this might be interesting to delve into, but from my research I came across some surpising information. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I didn't do an exhaustive study, so if you have additional information, please leave a comment. The name <i>"bestsellers list"</i> can be a bit deceptive depending upon the list. So what exactly do best seller lists measure? It depends on the list.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">New York Times Bestseller</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Although this one may have the most name recognition, it isn't really a measure of what is a national bestseller. It can <b><i>create a bestseller</i></b> because appearing on the list can increase book sales by 57% for a debut author and 13%-14% average for established authors, but it isn't a list of what book is selling best across the nation. Why, you ask? Because they only gather data from a select few bookstores and online retailers (ones they consider important-and not Amazon, Target, or Walmart that's for sure). The brick-and-mortar independant bookstores are given more weight in their sales and not many if any discount stores.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">William Blatty, the noted author of the wildly popular book, The Exorcist--you might have heard of it, sued the NY Times because no matter how many copies of The Exorcist sold they weren't showing it on their list. Now he had sold far and away enough to have appeared on the list, but nope. He stated that their decision cost him exposure which equals sales and therefore money.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the trial the NY Times countered with saying their list was an "editorial product". In other words its up to their opinion, or judgement, of what's worthy to be on their list. It was more along the lines of a popularity contest than actually based on sales numbers. Rather surprising, huh?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The NY Times administration has even stated that those independant bookstores they do get data from somehow have more discerning readers and that's why they are so restrictive in who they poll. It sounds to me it is rather elitist. If you can't afford hardback or such and get ebooks, depending upon where you purchase it, it may not get counted at all in their listing, or will be weighted as not as important of data if they even like that book at all. Also, purchases made by libraries don't count, either.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Why, oh why is this such a prestigious "bestseller" list when it is all their opinion??<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>USA Today Bestseller</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Gets their data from Nielsen BookScan and covers print and ebook sales, but not audio. At one point they just reported whatever was selling, whether that was a soduku book or maps (remember those), but now they "curate" the listing and remove extraneous things. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So in many ways this list is more indicative of what we expect in a bestseller list. But it doesn't provide the full picture, only 75% to 85% of book sales are covered and only counts certain retail sales. It doesn't count sales to libraries which have their fingers on the pulse of what's popular in books for their communities, plus this doesn't necesarily count non-bookstore sales like gift shops and specialty shops, and doesn't include independant books stores that have older sales software that doesn't report to Nielsen automatically. Still, compared to the other lists, this is the closest we are likely to get a list of the actual top selling print and ebooks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Publisher's Weekly Bestseller</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is the publishing industry's standard to track even competitor publishing company's sales, so you would expect it to be very accurate. You would be wrong. They use Neilson BookScan as well so it is very similar to the USA Today list except it doesn't include ebooks (say what!). That's correct. But ebooks account for roughly 18% of all books sales so that is a significant ding and makes this list considerably less an indication of a bestseller. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">IndieBound Bestseller List</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The IndieBound list is compiled by the American Booksellers Association (ABA) which is data from only 550 independent bookstores. It isn't from book sales. It looks at what the number one selling books are from each bookstore, no matter the store's size or if it was one hundred sales or only ten sold. It would look like: 100 stores had ABC as top seller, 125 stores had XYZ so they extrapolate MNOP is the best seller and so on. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What this can easily reflect is what those sales people are recommending to their customers rather than a true reflection of a book's actual appeal or buzz, particularly with the small amount of bookstores providing the data and not based on the number of books by title sold. This easily misrepresents because the book they don't think is a bestseller so they don't even list it could be a solid and consistent seller across all the stores and be #1 by number of books sold. But they don't do their list that way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Wallstreet Journal Bestseller</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is prestigious for business books, not as recognized for all other categories such as adult and juvenile titles. But their bestseller list is what we expect--based on book sales. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">WSJ gets data from Nielsen BookScan who gathers point-of-sale book data from more than 16,000 locations across the U.S.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Print-book data providers include all major booksellers, web retailers, Walmart, and food stores. E-book data providers include all major e-book retailers (except Apple). Free e-books and those sold for less than 99 cents are not included. The combined lists track sales by title across all print and e-book formats; except audiobooks. This along with USA Today list are closer to a realistic list of the bestselling books understanding it isn't exhaustive in the data gathered.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There you have it, some lists are more what you expect and others fall significant short. Was any of this surprising to you like it was to me? Any thoughts, let me know in the comments.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HQcO8fputs_Pb2WAOls_FXWNAPb1qq72M9ivjSy0b3nIMEsurpESY790VWAo_lEdY-qNXXU_f-bB75zWo9xybLMVaWNxVt8bp6J6gGZaymxPirkV1FINsHt_UuP1u1Qe3ClFT-LEWPOwm2QRAQf4AOeWl0L7ehBYf9E_8w-urxBq8cYkOuoATi35J-0/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HQcO8fputs_Pb2WAOls_FXWNAPb1qq72M9ivjSy0b3nIMEsurpESY790VWAo_lEdY-qNXXU_f-bB75zWo9xybLMVaWNxVt8bp6J6gGZaymxPirkV1FINsHt_UuP1u1Qe3ClFT-LEWPOwm2QRAQf4AOeWl0L7ehBYf9E_8w-urxBq8cYkOuoATi35J-0/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-22986476079303891602024-02-02T23:52:00.007-07:002024-02-06T11:37:14.951-07:00Review - The Wharton Plot<div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ms. Fredericks is the author of the popular Jane Prescott Mystery series. I have only read one of the series so far. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2nd in Jane Prescott Mysteries: Death of a New American (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2019/05/review-death-of-new-american.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Guest Post: (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2019/05/author-guest-post-mariah-fredericks.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Inspired by a true story, The Wharton Plot follows Edith Wharton (real life author who was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction) as she looks into the murder of a fellow author.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I really enjoyed the Jane Prescott Mysteries by Ms. Fredericks (I should go back and read more of them now that I'm thinking of it). When I saw she had written this book incorporating a well known real life author I was intrigued. Read on to find out what I thought.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw2GR-teoKtT_SqL1SldAQ4BE-HcRbdzvI6tIdoCH-hCFCmXZyqQdO51yDyDCQTdapds4mnmVZavQVkMfD53805kPyzGkyrQP3YRJ76vZ-jyp2QYV61835LGUFAwsLOsKpuK-SuASbEIaZAQd1p1Xn2PaCn2MGveXk7nmDOuokQv5-91VXBcwBtKn1ZA/s912/WhartonPlot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="600" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw2GR-teoKtT_SqL1SldAQ4BE-HcRbdzvI6tIdoCH-hCFCmXZyqQdO51yDyDCQTdapds4mnmVZavQVkMfD53805kPyzGkyrQP3YRJ76vZ-jyp2QYV61835LGUFAwsLOsKpuK-SuASbEIaZAQd1p1Xn2PaCn2MGveXk7nmDOuokQv5-91VXBcwBtKn1ZA/w333-h505/WhartonPlot.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>Author: </b>Mariah Fredericks</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Jan 2024 (Minotaur) 285 pgs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> Edith Wharton Mystery (standalone)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre: </b>Historical mystery, Historical amateur sleuth</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters: </b>Author Edith Wharton</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting: </b>Gilded Age, New York City</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb:</b> "New York City, 1911. Edith Wharton, almost equally famed for her novels and her sharp tongue, is bone-tired of Manhattan. Finding herself at a crossroads with both her marriage and her writing, she makes the decision to leave America, her publisher, and her loveless marriage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">And then, dashing novelist David Graham Phillips—a writer with often notorious ideas about society and women’s place in it—is shot to death outside the Princeton Club. Edith herself met the man only once, when the two formed a mutual distaste over tea in the Palm Court of the Belmont hotel. When Phillips is killed, Edith's life takes another turn. His sister is convinced Graham was killed by someone determined to stop the publication of his next book, which promised to uncover secrets that powerful people would rather stayed hidden. Though unconvinced, Edith is curious. What kind of book could push someone to kill?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">MY Thoughts:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Edith Wharton was a real gilded age author. She is trying to write her next book – which is over due – deciding whether to divorce her husband, and is disenchanted with New York. She decides to immerse herself in investigating the arrogant author's murder either as a diversion from her needy and troubled husband or to liven up her predictable rut. I have to say I didn't particularly like her but neither did I dislike her.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Husband Freddy is going through some mental health issues, depression and some mania and is more like dealing with an adult child. Edith is emotionally drained from the relationship and grabs at the excuse to investigate. Good friends Walter Berry and fellow author Henry James and her old flame Morton Fullerton all play sidekick at different times. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The premise is that she looks into the murder of an author because the deceased man's sister fears his about-to-be-published book will be blocked or worse changed and that he was murdered to prevent the "explosive" book from being published. Anonymous warning notes had been sent for a few weeks before he is shot. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I suspect the writing style was intended to be either like the time period or mimic the real Wharton's own style. Unfortunately I didn't care for the style myself with a lot of extraneous inner chatter by Ms. Wharton that some might find more literary. This also slowed down the pacing too much for me until about the last fourth of the book. I believe Ms Fredericks is a talented author and this book will definitely be superlative to many, but it just wasn't my cup of tea with the writing style and slower pace.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It did have a tense killer reveal which I appreciated. I hadn't considered that person for the killer, so that was well done. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating:</b> Good - A fun read. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. I would recommend based on certain tastes. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KgNcTA74K5clbdCry-ugOmLxWwozLGmzgV5OoHiD_nFjQ9UWX4PmNZCyb2xzKfqPy71g4A9bidnnD-BXQHb5o_MENBilH51oDbKWeZMnr1FD0_eRCr2Evp31nVY4lpAl_2TQOEHXMFJaXpWuOKGebGMe8yZjOrViW3OxTxLFYySms3Dq55rL2wJn1tc/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KgNcTA74K5clbdCry-ugOmLxWwozLGmzgV5OoHiD_nFjQ9UWX4PmNZCyb2xzKfqPy71g4A9bidnnD-BXQHb5o_MENBilH51oDbKWeZMnr1FD0_eRCr2Evp31nVY4lpAl_2TQOEHXMFJaXpWuOKGebGMe8yZjOrViW3OxTxLFYySms3Dq55rL2wJn1tc/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-55550280144144017452024-01-28T00:19:00.003-07:002024-02-03T00:03:15.361-07:00Review - Murder at the Merton Library<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Author Andrea Penrose is the acclaimed author of Regency-era historical fiction, as well as Regency romances written under the names Cara Elliott and Andrea Pickens. Published internationally in ten languages, she is a three-time RITA Award-finalist and the recipient of numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery and two Gold Leaf Awards.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have been a fan of this series since the beginning, check out the prior reviews of books in the series.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1) Murder on Swan Lake (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2017/10/review-murder-on-black-swan-lane.html" target="_blank">review here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2) Murder at Halfmoon Gate (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2018/05/review-murder-at-half-moon-gate.html" target="_blank">review here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3) Murder at Kensington Palace (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2020/02/review-murder-at-kensington-palace.html" target="_blank">review here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">4) Murder at Queen's Landing (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/03/review-murder-at-queens-landing.html" target="_blank">review here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">5) Murder at Royal Botanic Gardens (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/09/review-murder-at-royal-botanic-gardens.html" target="_blank">review here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">6) Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2022/10/review-murder-at-serpentine-bridge.html" target="_blank">review here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Author interview (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2011/11/author-interview-andrea-penrose.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The author uses scientific inventions of the time period to base her stories on and this outing we have the race to invent the steam engine and propellor system for ocean travel woven into the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rvJk84R4ijnP8aHdDjxRV5kizOL7eIqUMDh3mOH_gTwLjiYqkdIRYIEC8CnfVpozw0iFQG95JEs05NPFemsJiQ1F0wfpLUGw40n7hKlTfa5BTt7MIQXu32JxldwKGh2ONQOZt5X0-qNTPaDU42_c2PHBSnnMkzNal_oOqU8w3Y1NiAYD7BOQOQG81wg/s1000/MurderMertonLibrary.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="519" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rvJk84R4ijnP8aHdDjxRV5kizOL7eIqUMDh3mOH_gTwLjiYqkdIRYIEC8CnfVpozw0iFQG95JEs05NPFemsJiQ1F0wfpLUGw40n7hKlTfa5BTt7MIQXu32JxldwKGh2ONQOZt5X0-qNTPaDU42_c2PHBSnnMkzNal_oOqU8w3Y1NiAYD7BOQOQG81wg/w346-h519/MurderMertonLibrary.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><b>Author:</b> Andrea Penrose</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Sept 2023 (Kensington Books) 370 pgs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 7th in Wrexford & Sloane mystery series</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Historical mystery, Historical Suspense</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Charlotte Sloane, a satirical cartoonist under the name A.J. Quill</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> Regency Era, London England</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb:</b> "Responding to an urgent plea from a troubled family friend, the Earl of Wrexford journeys to Oxford only to find the reclusive university librarian has been murdered and a rare manuscript has gone missing. The only clue is that someone overheard an argument in which Wrexford’s name was mentioned.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">At the same time, Charlotte—working under her pen name, A. J. Quill—must determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if it’s connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of ship—one that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sails—with the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakes—especially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil conspiracy is lurking in the shadows and threatens all they hold dear—unless they can tie the loose threads together before it’s too late . . ."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">MY Thoughts:</span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Lady Charlotte and Wrexford, Wrex for short, are great as a married couple. Charlotte's adopted sons, Raven and Hawk, are front and center in this book along with their brilliant friend nicknamed Peregrin. Wrex's best friend, Kit Sheffield, Lady Cordelia, Aunt Alison, Henning the anatomist,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> and McClellan are all on hand for this adventure.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The plot is solid with some intrigue and murder. London is always portrayed vividly and this is no exception, from research labs, manufacturing warehouses, docks, and eleaborated balls with international guests. Each book in the series covers an invention of the era. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Details on the steam engine research is interesting but does slow the story a little bit in places.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This series consistently has exciting killer confrontations and this one is spot on with a ticking clock and thrilling chase. This series makes the characters feel like dear friends. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Rating:</b> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here is an interview with author Andrea Penrose on this book.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://youtu.be/lxY1yK-69UA?si=DArBqhHOygUyhpqe</span><br /><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lxY1yK-69UA?si=7w10lYQQa1YC9yIK" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPoB4eQSmLF8sQDsB1osApndRtY5cXyk7LkSrYGBWq0dVccBmj4N91xz1Gh6rI-tDTl1bW_dpjSuUyIkiwSqRz6L9YUfbuj04qSJsLnYcwNqT5sZi1pPOaqvWguuWsnLRplXut5qPniYy4zQu4WWNTyhFxhViRj6xbOvNKvq8xSZfq3Sg_dRWwN2rwkQ/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPoB4eQSmLF8sQDsB1osApndRtY5cXyk7LkSrYGBWq0dVccBmj4N91xz1Gh6rI-tDTl1bW_dpjSuUyIkiwSqRz6L9YUfbuj04qSJsLnYcwNqT5sZi1pPOaqvWguuWsnLRplXut5qPniYy4zQu4WWNTyhFxhViRj6xbOvNKvq8xSZfq3Sg_dRWwN2rwkQ/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-11190986926850093822024-01-19T15:57:00.001-07:002024-01-19T19:32:13.646-07:00Review - Murder at Midnight<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> If you have followed me for very long, you've probably noticed I tend to read a lot of historical mysteries. The Lilly Adler series is one of my favorites (but honestly, I have so many favorites) and I'm sharing the fourth with you today. Check out the previous reviews of this series I've done:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1) A Body in the Garden (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2020/10/review-body-in-garden.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2) Silence in the Library (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2022/04/review-silence-in-library.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3) Death at the Manor (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/03/review-death-at-manor.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT9VqGYkSTEebKUzQC7v24RgzmvpJLy8UtoR43GpKbuETCbL2yuuol6YYREmoorOZ-djk3nDmQku2s-y0_K_mUcgdAtqgM1Y4th9by3gYSHjseDZq7DH_NTdmmxRufTEkcX6EEWWIyCdWGBSVPjurAEUnAgXv-oLKAB6BbqzGWgdcjZt0ZIu3v3-7mts/s1000/MurderAtMidnight.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT9VqGYkSTEebKUzQC7v24RgzmvpJLy8UtoR43GpKbuETCbL2yuuol6YYREmoorOZ-djk3nDmQku2s-y0_K_mUcgdAtqgM1Y4th9by3gYSHjseDZq7DH_NTdmmxRufTEkcX6EEWWIyCdWGBSVPjurAEUnAgXv-oLKAB6BbqzGWgdcjZt0ZIu3v3-7mts/w353-h530/MurderAtMidnight.jpg" width="353" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Katharine Schellman</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Sept 2023 (Crooked Lane Books) 316 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 4th in A Lilly Adler mystery series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality: </b>mild with adult situations/topics referenced</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre</b>: Historical Cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters</b>: widow Lily Adler</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting</b>: 1815, Hertfordshire England</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through</b>: Library</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <b>Book Blurb:</b> "Regency widow Lily Adler is looking forward to a quiet Christmastide away from the schemes and secrets she witnessed daily in London. Not only will she be visiting the family of her late husband; she will be reunited with Captain Jack Hartley, her friend and confidante, finally returned after a long voyage at sea.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> But secrets aren’t only found in London. Jack’s younger sister, Amelia, is the center of neighborhood scandal and gossip. She refuses to tell anyone what really happened, even when an unexpected snowstorm strands the neighborhood families together after a Christmas ball. Stuck until the snow stops, the Adlers, Hartleys, and their neighbors settle in for the night, only to be awakened in the morning by the scream of a maid who has just discovered a dead body.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The victim was the well-to-do son of a local gentleman—the same man whose name has become so scandalously linked to Amelia’s.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> With the snow still falling and no way to come or go, it’s clear that someone in the house was responsible for the young man’s death. When suspicion instantly falls on Jack’s sister, he and Lily must unmask the true culprit before Amelia is convicted of a crime she didn’t commit."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b> Lily, as independant as ever, is asked to assist in investigating while they are all snowed in. Her sleuthing skills are tested as so many people are hiding secrets. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Captain Jack (Hartley) is back from sea (Wahoo!) and his usual easy going nature is stretched thin by his sister immediately being the murder suspect. Matthew Spencer, the romantic interest, tries to spend as much time with Lily as possible... until the murder pulls her away. John Adler, Lily's brother-in-law and the magistrate, is in over his head and relies on Lily to direct the investigation and cover his missteps. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The snowstorm is well done and the growing tensions of the stranded group are drawn very well. The plot has many twists and all the secrets produce some curveballs. The writing style makes this an easy and enjoyable read that I hated to put down. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The climax had a tense and suspenseful killer confrontation, my favorite. All-in-all, another wonderfully done entry in this top notch historical mystery series.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating:</b> Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIssdUn-SVaN14FA3bhP_OiVcNYGA1eQYDdPE13B0oz8Ljn94QQmIlzGwaDRI9mt3UPjCnM13bdJSB7o8ufdDAfwcrMsuiArN6vymW5SWIvlv2nxjtHyDEAzGFtweVSZa4vBVa-TDssr461O5KPM1cJTJCo0PRUgI_R5gFMQPX90tLAAjchUE7s3GdDow/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIssdUn-SVaN14FA3bhP_OiVcNYGA1eQYDdPE13B0oz8Ljn94QQmIlzGwaDRI9mt3UPjCnM13bdJSB7o8ufdDAfwcrMsuiArN6vymW5SWIvlv2nxjtHyDEAzGFtweVSZa4vBVa-TDssr461O5KPM1cJTJCo0PRUgI_R5gFMQPX90tLAAjchUE7s3GdDow/w485-h183/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" width="485" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-11922079206120690062024-01-15T02:00:00.020-07:002024-01-15T02:00:00.149-07:00Musings--2023 Book of the Year <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirALkOE_EmGKM-QtBf1oOaZo4kM73XeFWJkpCP2Drbo2yvW86R0KDFwMlZTPffTfIzbKrBVFxATZalVESR0F02usOxow_NUt5fXeiJvgfdoWV4AGB4aZ8NVX0eojkIi_eTD9AqyNZceDaKlB8TzXIUeYcCHj4CWHqrSOt6pfNlBjVAV-UCESIQpJSEFlk/s2240/BookOfTheYear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirALkOE_EmGKM-QtBf1oOaZo4kM73XeFWJkpCP2Drbo2yvW86R0KDFwMlZTPffTfIzbKrBVFxATZalVESR0F02usOxow_NUt5fXeiJvgfdoWV4AGB4aZ8NVX0eojkIi_eTD9AqyNZceDaKlB8TzXIUeYcCHj4CWHqrSOt6pfNlBjVAV-UCESIQpJSEFlk/w530-h298/BookOfTheYear.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><p></p><p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> I looked over the books I reviewed for 2023 by month and filtered it down to one standout book for 2023. Many of the books I read were fun and entertaining, but this book stayed with me well after I finished it in August. I found myself recommending it enthusiastically to anyone who would listen. So I'm not surprised when using a bracket format that this is the title that rose to the top. Doing this month-by-month book analysis showed a few months where I slacked in posting book reviews and I apologize for that. This year I'll endeavor to be more consistant in that regard.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd87QrdW407ngukM0DyPXyZpznM2QUQe4CngI2Etcu15WJevV2cMiDg9cC7vmzVjLY637RAt3BLxcTkalTui-QBO7iV-nzV7rkeW3ZRnVpJG_8etWnCYipBil4-DeXVdHliXgCBTn4P2GXSurPM6iMAYb_o-1RHqwUOo1NgKAuooF7GrDQn-4_0KmhcNY/s1000/MotherDaugtherTraitorSpy1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd87QrdW407ngukM0DyPXyZpznM2QUQe4CngI2Etcu15WJevV2cMiDg9cC7vmzVjLY637RAt3BLxcTkalTui-QBO7iV-nzV7rkeW3ZRnVpJG_8etWnCYipBil4-DeXVdHliXgCBTn4P2GXSurPM6iMAYb_o-1RHqwUOo1NgKAuooF7GrDQn-4_0KmhcNY/s320/MotherDaugtherTraitorSpy1.jpg" width="216" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Here is my 2023 Book of the Year:</i></b> <i>Mother Daughter Traitor Spy</i> by Susan Elia MacNeal (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-mother-daughter-traitor-spy.html" target="_blank">initial review here</a>).</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Apparently, Susan Elia MacNeal uncovered the story of this mother-daughter spy duo during research for her 10th Maggie Hope in the series (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/03/review-hollywood-spy.html" target="_blank">The Hollywood Spy</a>) set in 1943 Los Angeles and knew she wanted to write a stand-alone book based on these courageous women. Naturaly, there are a number of elements that are ficton, but a large amount that is solidly based on what did happen and the deadly peril the two women faced in their spying. Being a spy tends to get glamorized, but this book brought to life the nerve-wracking tight rope a spy walks day in and out. Additionally, it shines a light on an important part of our history that has largely been left behind that needs to be front and center--how Nazis were radicalizing Americans right here in the States. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The novel is well plotted, the pacing taut, and I couldn't put it down. At times I was on the edge-of-my-seat too. I can't praise this book enough and it stands out among all the books I read last year. Let me know what you think when you read it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><u>The two runners up from my reviews are:</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Omega Factor by Steve Berry (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/01/review-omega-factor.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Playing it Safe by Ashley Weaver (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/10/review-key-to-deceitplaying-it-safe.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVimRChPG-eStRG5RqvMms_mDs2xDIbe-_wuIoC42d1879OSldCIl04vH-UHYL_P1aTQxuVH6wtO4X8topyvXlkP0E-5cD9O0OnNUBZpy1EjXxfH0aaa1nK-ChDY5mg14ciNB-WHbY1sIYToYrSP56nlZjNXiKPNz-3qvAzRhaw_OKu4YL2rVzoBAOTQ/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVimRChPG-eStRG5RqvMms_mDs2xDIbe-_wuIoC42d1879OSldCIl04vH-UHYL_P1aTQxuVH6wtO4X8topyvXlkP0E-5cD9O0OnNUBZpy1EjXxfH0aaa1nK-ChDY5mg14ciNB-WHbY1sIYToYrSP56nlZjNXiKPNz-3qvAzRhaw_OKu4YL2rVzoBAOTQ/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-62975671800063852412024-01-12T12:11:00.002-07:002024-02-18T21:34:58.109-07:00Review - Locked In Pursuit<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">World War II spy versus spy gets a woman hero who is complex and passionate in Electra McDonnell with plenty of thrills and a slow burn romance. Check out the newest book in the series and how it measures up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1) A Peculiar Combination (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/06/review-peculiar-combination.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2) Key to Deceit (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/10/review-key-to-deceitplaying-it-safe.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">3) Playing it Safe (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/10/review-key-to-deceitplaying-it-safe.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Guest Post (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/05/guest-post-ashley-weaver.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJIWjgP5tgitZW-IErSg4U0S7-FGF3iKSgOxI0gKvlsz6u-L_99xriBG78Jt8aYARrJj731V6etQxraL6uz9hEJA2aJ8lYXNIcmisCSQHWcjZ0CVdMv6gYHieNH2yKGyLQzCNuRRIAEcPx-YUI9a1dnSgKQVoQ0hZ80c8UdCBTXua78SlqnDXykL1T-U/s1419/LockeInPursuit.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="916" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJIWjgP5tgitZW-IErSg4U0S7-FGF3iKSgOxI0gKvlsz6u-L_99xriBG78Jt8aYARrJj731V6etQxraL6uz9hEJA2aJ8lYXNIcmisCSQHWcjZ0CVdMv6gYHieNH2yKGyLQzCNuRRIAEcPx-YUI9a1dnSgKQVoQ0hZ80c8UdCBTXua78SlqnDXykL1T-U/w297-h459/LockeInPursuit.jpg" width="297" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author: </b>Ashley Weaver<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> May 2024 (Minotaur Books) 272 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 4th in Electra McDonnell mystery series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Historical Cozy mystery, Cozy Intrigue</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters: </b>Electra McDonnell, a safe-cracking thief aiding the war effort</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> 1942, London England</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Book Blurb:</b> "Safecracker Ellie McDonnell hasn’t seen Major Ramsey—her handsome but aloof handler in the British government—since their tumultuous mission together three months before, but when she hears about a suspicious robbery in London she feels compelled to contact him. Together they discover that a rash of burglaries in the city all lead back to a hotbed of spies in the neutral city Lisbon, Portugal, and an unknown object brought to London by a mysterious courier.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As the thieves become more desperate and their crimes escalate, it becomes imperative that Ellie and Ramsey must beat them at their own game. Fighting shadowy assailants, enemy agents, and the mutual attraction they’ve agreed not to acknowledge, Ellie and Ramsey work together to learn if it truly takes a thief to catch a thief."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b> Ellie continues looking into her mother's death in jail for the murder of her father, but she is soon busy with helping Major Ramsey which only gets her into bigger trouble. Major Ramsey the disciplined military man with high society background has stayed away from Electra, but will he remain so stoic as they work together again? Felix Lacey is still in the picture but what is he involved in with travel he won't talk about? Uncle Mick gets enlisted to aid again and the housekeeper Nacy is the nurturing presence Electra needs in this uncertain, ever changing time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This outing is just as thrilling as the others and doesn't disappoint. There is plenty going on beyond just spys around the mission, Electra "Ellie" manages to get herself indebted to a gangster plus another man for favors that could backfire on her. The pacing is brisk and even though I'm normally a slow reader, I flew through this book. Several heart-pounding and heart-wrenching scenes that make this a compelling read. This is a great addition to the Electra McDonnell series, kudos.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating:</b> Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z_Tikme5bG5cPvU35qjIbe0TC6P3VaaxdMfAg4wvGfMgZBvKu7Uga-DqGlTGKBAg7m7AuOYU9DG71Ql9itvAEJA1qzzbPH9SW9AOTm582DqOqXtrS6bkAtbTaODDNEhbN91IoTL5MjFtxOvywoHC2a5tMGs14e0bpnreltCTmyvBAPzIVPUjXwettZA/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z_Tikme5bG5cPvU35qjIbe0TC6P3VaaxdMfAg4wvGfMgZBvKu7Uga-DqGlTGKBAg7m7AuOYU9DG71Ql9itvAEJA1qzzbPH9SW9AOTm582DqOqXtrS6bkAtbTaODDNEhbN91IoTL5MjFtxOvywoHC2a5tMGs14e0bpnreltCTmyvBAPzIVPUjXwettZA/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-83059605983314462612024-01-08T14:48:00.006-07:002024-01-08T15:45:32.297-07:00Musing - Sherlock Holmes vs Hercule Poirot<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> I'll admit up front I like these two detectives pretty much equally, so comparing them is a new thought for me. I had to research quite a bit on both of these detectives because I'm not an expert on either in any way. Let's see how it shapes up.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd_isVndrSjDxuEUHbWjeH-f5GhH5M8Heg4XuTEFIHENIqdmslO_ni7FPM5S92Agjbp59sXD-uy4MqktrjT0Z99QQ0d2O0On-1FdlTxlgvCQnGdD6B-wVJaA5qRe06a69H0sm3BDAkLPb5xjXUOoEvGsJdV9j9mT6zI9a5kcCL74M10zhZ3m1Opa8Vs4/s680/SherlockHolmes-JeremyBrett.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="680" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd_isVndrSjDxuEUHbWjeH-f5GhH5M8Heg4XuTEFIHENIqdmslO_ni7FPM5S92Agjbp59sXD-uy4MqktrjT0Z99QQ0d2O0On-1FdlTxlgvCQnGdD6B-wVJaA5qRe06a69H0sm3BDAkLPb5xjXUOoEvGsJdV9j9mT6zI9a5kcCL74M10zhZ3m1Opa8Vs4/w480-h299/SherlockHolmes-JeremyBrett.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><u>Sherlock Holmes</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Overview:</i></b> Sherlock Holmes is known for his deductive reasoning, focus on forensics, some action with disguises and even fighting, lacks much personal emotion, and is a cocaine user/addict. He often referred to his brain as his “mind palace.” According to the Guiness Book of World Records, he is the most popular fictional character to be portrayed in film and television.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sherlock was created by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. His first outing was in Conan Doyle’s short story, “A Study in Scarlet” and he went on write four novels and 56 other short stories in total with Sherlock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Focus:</i></b> The extent to how much modern criminalogy was influenced by a fictional character is up for debate. But, keep in mind that Jack the Ripper was active July-Nov 1888 and the police came under heavy criticism for being clueless while this fictional character that appeared on the scene the year prior showed where the police didn't pay attention to the details and crucial evidence in general. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>General Sleuthing Style:</i></b> Sherlock is known primarily for deductive reasoning and science to solve cases. Since he would occasionally go out on the streets and even go about in disguise, he learned "Baritsu," or correctly known as Bartitsu, a scientific mixed martial art developed in England in 1898–1902 by Edward William Barton-Wright. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sherlock was observant and astute even when regarding both his clients and his suspects—noting not only their physical appearances but also tattoos, cuts, marks on the skin, clothing type and style, dirt on boots, and minutia of all sorts. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Continuing in his observance of the fine details, forensically, Holmes scrutinized fine details that weren't commonly considered in that time—like studying specific tire tracks, hoof prints, and shoe prints, and yes—even using a microscope to observe blood samples for evidence such as poisons. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Relationships:</i></b> Sherlock was devoid of continuing relationships, except his sidekick, flatmate, and investigative partner, Dr. John Watson.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">His interactions with women and potential emotional or even physical attachment is challenging. He relies on his brain and gut instinct rather than his feelings. He views emotions as a barrier to accurate and clear reasoning. "But love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to the true cold reason which I place above all things." <i>Sign of Four</i>. He doesn't particularly trust women either. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He greatly admired Irene Adler... for her intelligence, so he viewed her as an equal to him but never seemed to want anything further. I'm not suggesting he was gay, but that relationships and everything that entails were a sacrifice on his time and attention he wasn't willing to give. Of course, there is his landlady Mrs. Hudson whom he treats well and Dr. Watson's wife later on, Mary Morstan, who Holmes seems to resent for distracting Watson. Remember the time frame of when the books were written and how women were viewed. It isn't surprising to find Holmes isolating himself from the <i>emotional and problematic</i> female portrayed at the time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18_snSmYCzJaF_lZgpUt-2AJaeXbkLv2UJvVmJaGwScuWG1deeelMLULF_LAfwkliVWbUUyQaRNWxKapQBC45h5GhBV2ZOHAL6OA82NTacSLUvdDvC-aeUAgbY8UlNJQFcD9T0ltulubjT18tMu2vgK8IXQ8zmdnF8NQCUzXfRU7rKJvd-NG_87MEy7s/s1200/HerculePoirot-DavidSuchet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18_snSmYCzJaF_lZgpUt-2AJaeXbkLv2UJvVmJaGwScuWG1deeelMLULF_LAfwkliVWbUUyQaRNWxKapQBC45h5GhBV2ZOHAL6OA82NTacSLUvdDvC-aeUAgbY8UlNJQFcD9T0ltulubjT18tMu2vgK8IXQ8zmdnF8NQCUzXfRU7rKJvd-NG_87MEy7s/w507-h267/HerculePoirot-DavidSuchet.jpg" width="507" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><u>Hercule Poirot</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Overview:</i></b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Poirot is a Belgian-born character of prolific author Agatha Christie. He appears in 33 novels and 50 short stories which is more than Holmes' body of work. His first appearance was in <i>The Mysterious Affair at Styles</i>” written in 1920, 33 years after Sherlock's debut. He often refers to his detective’s mind as his “little grey cells.” Note: Poirot was the only fictional character to receive an obituary on the front page of The New York Times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Belgium is also incredibly proud of their "native-son" and treat the fictional character as if he were real with statues and honors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Christie stated in her autobiography that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes character definitely influenced her portrayal of Hercule Poirot. Which I interpret that to be "Sherlock based, but potentially improved upon."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Poirot is described as being short and rather obsessive about his appearance—notably concerning his signature patent leather shoes (which are apparently uncomfortable—ladies, we know that sacrifice for fashion) and his perfectly-groomed mustache. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Also mentioned in <i>Three Act Tragedy</i> that he comes from a large family with little wealth, and has at least one younger sister. In addition to French and English, Poirot is also fluent in German.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">During WW1, Poirot left Belgium for England as a refugee from the Nazi invasion of Belgium, which provides him with insights into people's struggles and hardships. Historically, those Belgian refugees faced prejudice. The early stories show Poirot has a limp which eventually goes away, thus it might have been an injury from WW1 that heals over time.</span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Focus:</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Poirot is also known for his deductive reasoning skills but additionally his detective work involves psychological insights. He's also Catholic (occasional mentions of going to church and an occasional moral dilemma) which gives him other insights about human nature which are absent in the Holmes' universe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He knows how to “read” people and draw conclusions not just from what suspects are saying but how they say them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He is a good conversationalist with people skills, and gets suspects talking fairly easily. Poirot pays attention to how subjects act and he scrutinizes their body language to tune into parts of their story that have holes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">General Sleuthing Style:</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Poirot left a job as a Belgian Police Detective ("one of the most celebrated members of the Belgian police" per <i>The Mysterious Affair at Styles</i>) and in <i>The Double Clue</i> it says he was actually the Chief of Police of Brussels, so he understands police work, their procedures, and what they face and he follows a police detective's methods. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">By this time in the world, forensic techniques had been introduced and policework was becoming more scientific and disciplined. Thus, Poirot's going beyond the forensics of <i>how-it-was-done</i> to include <i>why-it-was done </i>to increase the challenge to readers with more complexity. </span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Relationships:</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Poirot had a trusty sidekick and partner named Captain Arthur Hastings who was a former Army Officer in the British military. Hastings is brave yet a little naive and maybe isn’t quick with connections, but Poirot appreciates him while they’re working a case as Hastings often unwittingly assists in discussion with suspects so Poirot is able to spy the lie and solve the mystery. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Poirot’s secretary, Miss Felicity Lemon, plays the role of female supporting character in Poirot's world. Miss Lemon is known for her precise nature and often assists Poirot by doing side research for certain cases. This is an interesting point since there is plenty of speculation about Holmes not having a high opinion of women yet Poirot has a woman regularly in his life that he trusts in his professional world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On the point of women, Poirot also has a soft spot for Countess Vera Rossakoff, a jewel thief, when Hercule is investigating a jewel robbery in the short story <i>The Double Clue.</i> They meet in two more stories, <i>The Big Four</i> and <i>The Capture of Cerberus</i>, where she is then a nightclub owner. Christie's son has said that in his mother's notes she had felt Poirot knew he was too particular and fastidious for any woman to put-up with him. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><i>Dr. Watson Vs Captain Hastings: </i></b>Watson is a doctor and fits with Sherlock's science based approach and is likely more sympatico with the hero, but Capt Hastings is a true personal friend to Hercule firstly and aids him with his interactions with suspects. I always felt that Capt. Hastings was a great comfort and relieved some of Poirot's loneliness while Watson was more an assistant to Holmes. Capt Hastings and Poirot even vacation together as good friends which I don't see Holmes doing with Watson.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusions: </i>I think both characters were revolutionary for their time. If possible, I think that Poirot took what Sherlock had started with more scientific crime scene investigation and reasoning and expanded on it with basic criminal psychology that was a growing field of that time. The insights into human nature in addition to deductive reasoning is a powerful combination for a detective.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Both characters were handicapped in the personal relationship arena, but Sherlock seems more so than Poirot. Agatha Christie provided more personal background for Hercule than we have for Sherlock other than some tidbits about Mycroft, which makes Poirot more rounded in my humble opinion with Miss Lemon and Capt Hastings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Also, Poirot has many moments of relating to people on a personal level that I think is missing with Sherlock. Case in point, <i>Peril at End House</i> shows Poirot on vacation and upon meeting a young heiress he becomes concerned that somebody is trying to kill her as she has had a number of near deadly accidents. Nobody seeks him out nor hires him, but he inserts himself into her life to investigate because of his concern for her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Additionally, Poirot has a soft spot for children and their innocence that is touched on occasionally which I don't believe Holmes ever has such a softness towards his young homeless Baker Street Irregulars who "go everywhere and hear everything" and he pays them but shows no personal feelings towards them outside of their usefulness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What do you think? As I said, I'm no expert on either character. How do they compare to you? Share your thoughts in the comments please.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAcINnrLSIArSNBt33JHBI-G3Lurk3496drH7avsoLObxPub7N9D-o8PSk5jfNDPKguXHquHVPoE3sGUcIBhKLx91xkkalNDQrJMifwOZQH-mpRl-uKfHpw4MdF9rSBLRNrgvsBuBlEVKjkP_1rcxiskdmFrAjSfSLcrVCOr6QKuygjPVzJ0V2Ab0BXk/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAcINnrLSIArSNBt33JHBI-G3Lurk3496drH7avsoLObxPub7N9D-o8PSk5jfNDPKguXHquHVPoE3sGUcIBhKLx91xkkalNDQrJMifwOZQH-mpRl-uKfHpw4MdF9rSBLRNrgvsBuBlEVKjkP_1rcxiskdmFrAjSfSLcrVCOr6QKuygjPVzJ0V2Ab0BXk/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-43828037436642334902024-01-04T00:05:00.001-07:002024-01-04T00:11:07.370-07:00Review - Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Lord<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Author Celeste Connally is an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. This is a brand new historical mystery series and the debut sounds fascinating. It's being billed as "Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie."</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Let's take a trip back to the early 1800s London for an adventure.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphDMXYnN6h8n7dXzM1mlvYq_fXj4St7qVmzTattWL4BRtizXc3Ydo8tOoLqVTmktU_ifD22wRHJM1ueIT9G1z86ETFHG2qw3NiMfR0LZ-9kUN2dTbImCMiuD_amqjyby6i7qU5Qsr0OaYfL2CSmgzeD_wFDxHjhtGzrdm-S2zJE18NHIAOl9yX4kHaCI/s1000/ActLikeALady-ThinkLikeALord.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="647" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphDMXYnN6h8n7dXzM1mlvYq_fXj4St7qVmzTattWL4BRtizXc3Ydo8tOoLqVTmktU_ifD22wRHJM1ueIT9G1z86ETFHG2qw3NiMfR0LZ-9kUN2dTbImCMiuD_amqjyby6i7qU5Qsr0OaYfL2CSmgzeD_wFDxHjhtGzrdm-S2zJE18NHIAOl9yX4kHaCI/w348-h538/ActLikeALady-ThinkLikeALord.jpg" width="348" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Celeste Connally</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Nov 2023 (Minotaur Books) 301 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 1st in Lady Petra Inquires series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> moderate- era references to intimacy and period treatment of women</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Historical Cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Lady Petra Forsyth, 24yo indepedant daughter of an Earl</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> 1815 (Regency Era). London, England</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Book Blurb:</b> "London, 1815. Lady Petra Forsyth, daughter of the Earl of Holbrook, has made a shocking proclamation. After losing her beloved fiancé in an accident three years earlier, she announces in front of London’s loosest lips that she will never marry. A woman of independent means—and rather independent ways—Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life is gone. Instead, she plans to continue enjoying the best of society without any expectations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of a fit due to her “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Petra has reason to believe her friend is alive, a shocking murder proves more danger is afoot than she thought. And the more determined Lady Petra becomes in uncovering the truth, the more her own headstrong actions and desire for independence are used against her, putting her own freedom—and possibly her life—in jeopardy."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>MY Thoughts: </b> Lady Petra is likable (a good daughter, a kind employer, and she's good to animals), a feminist when men were ruled. Her mother died when she was young, but left her a sizable inheritance that allows her more freedoms. But she can be naive at times in her priviledged world and too trusting of her own safety. I like Duncan Shawcross, Petra's childhood playmate and confidante who is also the illegitimate son of Marquess of Langford. They make a great team and he is a good potential romantic interest since he understands her well. Her best friend Caroline is in a marriage of convenience does as she pleases which makes her a bad influence in many ways, but a good friend. Lady Petra's personal maid, Annie, is a wonderful side character and a street urchin Petra has befriended, Teddy, as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This book had a slow start and took many chapters for the murder to happen. But once it did the book really took off. I realize this is the debut and thus had to setup the world and Lady Petra's reality, but the slowness combined with an onslaught of characters with titles and a bunch of gossip just weighed down the beginning. I read this occasionally trying to slog through until I finally got to the murder and then it took off like a race horse and I couldn't put it down. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sadly, this is based on actual practices historically. I know some may think the sending of unwanted wives to an asylum, as presented in the book, is an exageration, but it happened fairly often and with just a husband's say-so in far too many cases. At the time this is set, men ruled and women had no standing in and of themselves. Men of the day thought little of such practices because it was all legal strictly speaking. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Historically, Lady Petra wouldn't have been afforded so much freedom by her father and Duncan Shawcross's being illegitimate would have kept him from being so well regarded in society. I didn't mind those liberties with the storyline, but some might take exception to them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The book is more about the journey than the mystery to solve. We follow Lady Petra and she does end up in a harrowing situation in the well done and tense climax.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating:</b> Good - A fun read. Slow to start but it develops and gets really good.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsKnx2yjGTAy8dMzu0u5eZ-k-PPqAM9G1P-6ZWBpkH1YPKRPwpCVOHEuNh176CjmSMQNO4enduNQR-EHn5ClmiVa37ClJMvUPwEw_ISAxP91sV0Xqcysz1yL7XTLLpKcb3LK54L4zxdmMspin407T9KroXnJnEKGyWXIrboQQ4MJ_pEDOmpfMWJ-h3fY/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsKnx2yjGTAy8dMzu0u5eZ-k-PPqAM9G1P-6ZWBpkH1YPKRPwpCVOHEuNh176CjmSMQNO4enduNQR-EHn5ClmiVa37ClJMvUPwEw_ISAxP91sV0Xqcysz1yL7XTLLpKcb3LK54L4zxdmMspin407T9KroXnJnEKGyWXIrboQQ4MJ_pEDOmpfMWJ-h3fY/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-82075877859492337382024-01-01T01:26:00.002-07:002024-01-05T20:08:42.342-07:00Musings - Track Your Reading (and so much more)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgNxYe6juEq-GoWPDSq044dM-9Fnpg8kMqBVRJgrhO6dbqY5ZNi1aEMslp-oy7XEhPhasfspXPvE6Yu2nzNoXiuALvkCaJFwb-ZHOrCzbPW_sFOQ7wMtlTXIebLAGV2wYrhlANtrnm1gYrk7O1Xj4uR32khtrYPBODffju1crKLgVzsB7lVZlcxHdsjw/s2240/TrackYourReading.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgNxYe6juEq-GoWPDSq044dM-9Fnpg8kMqBVRJgrhO6dbqY5ZNi1aEMslp-oy7XEhPhasfspXPvE6Yu2nzNoXiuALvkCaJFwb-ZHOrCzbPW_sFOQ7wMtlTXIebLAGV2wYrhlANtrnm1gYrk7O1Xj4uR32khtrYPBODffju1crKLgVzsB7lVZlcxHdsjw/w505-h284/TrackYourReading.png" width="505" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have done a few posts of interest for a New Year prior that I'd like to share again:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/03/create-family-reading-habits-and.html" target="_blank">Create Family Reading Habits and Traditions</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2022/02/my-musings-to-be-read-jar.html" target="_blank">To Be Read Jar </a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am on a few reading/book facebook groups and besides asking for book recommendations, many people ask how they can easily keep track of the books they've read. What follows are ideas to answer such a question and although not exhaustive, I hope they are helpful and perhaps also fun.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If you only need to track the basics like the following:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Books to read</b> (Notes to remember the many recommendations you get)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Books Completed </b>so you aren't getting the same book in a few months you already bought and read.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite books</b> to know exactly which ones to pick off your shelf on a rainy day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then basic tracking is available with Goodreads.com or LibraryThing.com and can handle those tasks for you. But here are some other options for this as well.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Reading List Bookmark </b></span>(<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1571587216/reading-list-bookmark-2024" target="_blank">click here</a>) is handy and simple.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Reading Tracker- Printable</b> (handles 67 books per sheet)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Left column you can set up a color code using markers for the genre of book (<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1201/4358/files/Book_Tracker_Printable.pdf?v=1679672296" target="_blank">click here</a>).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But if you want to track more, then often times going old school is the simplest answer by using a bullet journal (notebook that has pages with dots or grid) or similar idea like a simple spiral notebook. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Are there apps that can do this? Yes, BUT to get the following versatility it will likely cost. The free features are usually limited to basic tracking like Goodreads. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A bullet journal is economical and easy, particularly if you find free printable templates. You can spruce up pages with colored pens, Tombow markers (they don't bleed through), something for drawing straight lines, and some decorative Washi tape.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Following are some ideas of other things you may like to track besides just book titles you've read:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Pages read per day</b> – if you want to make reading a habit and keep you motivated. (<a href="https://www.saturdaygift.com/habit-tracker-printable/" target="_blank">click here</a>) and example </span>(<a href="https://myinnercreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/79030136_159966328613812_1866062137071349577_n.jpg" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Chapters read</b> – Some prefer tracking chapters rather than pages. Example </span>(<a href="https://www.developgoodhabits.com/habit-tracker-template/" target="_blank">click here</a>) and <span>Example 2 </span>(<a href="https://myinnercreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/80783059_1258895244304537_521992776318372448_n.jpg" target="_blank">click here</a>): </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series Books</b> – You can track different book series that you are reading. You may not want to read through an entire series at once, or you may be waiting for the next one to come out. You can list out the reading order of the books in a series and check them off as you complete each one. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>Basic example </span>(<a href="https://worldofprintables.com/free-printable-habit-tracker/" target="_blank">click here</a>): </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Do you want to track Days you've read</b>? – This helps you form a habit. </span>(<a href="https://worldofprintables.com/free-printable-habit-tracker/" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Maybe a reading streak</b> – how many days in a row you've read to reinforce a habit of reading. Weeks in a row, too. Maybe note a prize to reward yourself if you read 21 days in a row or similar streak. See above example for tracking days.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Classic Books TBR</b> – I think every reader has a list of "highly recommended" classics that they haven't gotten around to yet. This makes it easy to refine your list, note which friend recommended it and why, and if it was worth the hype. Example </span>(<a href="https://myinnercreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/93196365_640885393429457_3438865680254645142_n.jpg" target="_blank">click here</a>). </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Reading Challenges</b> – like the alphabet challenge (reading books whose titles start with each letter of the alphabet), book bingo (like regular bingo but with a different book criteria in each square), or others. If you are into reading challenges make it easy on yourself and track them in one spot. Example </span>(<a href="https://myinnercreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/81379167_767272940453212_1265794488555318245_n.jpg" rel="nofollow">click here</a>). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Club</b> – You can keep track of all the necessary information. Create a page that lists things like their website, when you meet, where you meet, when to vote for the monthly book pick, or contact information for friends you meet in the club and want to collaborate with. Then track how many pages a day to finish, the questions to discuss so you can be prepared before the meeting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Other examples following</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Multiple reading goal tracker (<a href="https://myinnercreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/296704001_1099475254013800_6141269824992891987_n.jpg" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">16 Reading Journal Printables (<a href="https://www.julesbuono.com/reading-journal-printables/?pp=1" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>Library Due Date book tracker </span>(<a href="https://www.printabulls.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Printable-Library-Book-Tracker-1.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Full page per book printable (<a href="https://scatteredsquirrel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/book-journal-girls.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Etsy.com has a lot of creative printables you can instantly download for practically any book tracking need for only a few dollars. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>Check out the many examples on Pinterest too </span>(<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=reading%20tracker%20bullet%20journal&eq=reading%20tracker&etslf=11771" target="_blank">click here</a>).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Doing your own tracking in a journal can be fun and creative. I hope these ideas were helpful. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Happy New Year fellow reading buddies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB1G24U2BPKdUbWCM0B7pSwDEfQSySYCXw-0D0fvJTerW07nvn75zJE3THpeSsEFGKHnV9t6Cx_XQBktXvUpYM3kamsVGmKt04qULOa8qb8GdC7FH2RALAvCfYEmazEmQYPoOkUCPA_lPrAnv1Pqy7NNg56KG9M_CGW5lGi5DCsIFTWgh9-0pelNvk0c/s462/HappyNewYear2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB1G24U2BPKdUbWCM0B7pSwDEfQSySYCXw-0D0fvJTerW07nvn75zJE3THpeSsEFGKHnV9t6Cx_XQBktXvUpYM3kamsVGmKt04qULOa8qb8GdC7FH2RALAvCfYEmazEmQYPoOkUCPA_lPrAnv1Pqy7NNg56KG9M_CGW5lGi5DCsIFTWgh9-0pelNvk0c/s16000/HappyNewYear2024.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HmxrQQjGVTT5PQPGRrWH_o70mliKwC5uNALLhI0wbD6wguFBUHlG7jkj-ZLuqTL0F0_6qit5gSwG0Aqkdr2j0gzj-AOZX3ejmP3Pbiny5X7tVoYexikisQtjSy41uqoVkQrM7r01TI6EWG-9Nu0wTgcrLdmgtxxDZjJP4Fq923uUU0mcUbB6-0wHC4M/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HmxrQQjGVTT5PQPGRrWH_o70mliKwC5uNALLhI0wbD6wguFBUHlG7jkj-ZLuqTL0F0_6qit5gSwG0Aqkdr2j0gzj-AOZX3ejmP3Pbiny5X7tVoYexikisQtjSy41uqoVkQrM7r01TI6EWG-9Nu0wTgcrLdmgtxxDZjJP4Fq923uUU0mcUbB6-0wHC4M/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-14511056088009253552023-12-29T23:54:00.000-07:002023-12-29T23:54:20.917-07:00Review - Murder Marks the Page<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> The first in a new series spun off from the Daisy Tea Garden Mysteries, Daisy’s daughter Jazzi Swanson has opened her own book and tea shop, providing a variety of literature and flavored beverages for a rural New York community. But Jazzi has not only inherited her mother’s gift for brewing tasty drinks—she also has a nose for sniffing out murder.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuhVIyRTzcCtw7iUG7x7Sn-__BewuaqPz_dZP26vdWgWBZtvWwXxXZ9gLnQ4HI7S8RRTIOvS9ADPCCrDoyhT3RBPTMqmxg4Br0qZp6hmAnXY9B2CB6RP87J12QH3-fWHcGuHgAOd9dLBLFtRa716JeTTG7lst2hsgV7sa2AhkGr5bu4yBu5fk3_7zJ8k/s425/MurderMarksThePage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="290" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuhVIyRTzcCtw7iUG7x7Sn-__BewuaqPz_dZP26vdWgWBZtvWwXxXZ9gLnQ4HI7S8RRTIOvS9ADPCCrDoyhT3RBPTMqmxg4Br0qZp6hmAnXY9B2CB6RP87J12QH3-fWHcGuHgAOd9dLBLFtRa716JeTTG7lst2hsgV7sa2AhkGr5bu4yBu5fk3_7zJ8k/w307-h450/MurderMarksThePage.jpg" width="307" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Karen Rose Smith</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> March 2024 (Kensington Cozies) 272 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 1st in A Tomes & Tea mystery series</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Jazzi Swanson, owner & operator of Tomes & Tea</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> Modern day, Belltower Landing, a lakeside resort town in New York</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b> Book Blurb:</b> "New York State’s Belltower Landing is a lakeside resort town where tourists spend their summer days boating, floating, and paddle-boarding on the water. It’s also the perfect place to cuddle up with a good book and enjoy a cup of tea, courtesy of Tomes & Tea. Owned and operated by Jazzi and her best friend Dawn Fernsby, the book bar is beloved by vacationers and locals alike, but browsers grabbing brews in the off season aren’t enough to help them make ends meet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Between brainstorming social media publicity ideas for the shop and fending off flirtatious men she has no interest in or time for, Jazzi befriends a woman named Brie who has recently made contact with her biological father. As an adopted child herself, Jazzi is more than happy to give Brie emotional support, especially as her wealthy father’s wife and children see her as a threat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> But Brie is also looking to start a family of her own. Unfortunately, all the potential princes she’s met through a dating app turn out to be frogs. Then, when Brie is found murdered, Jazzi finds herself playing detective. With a list of suspects ranging from jealous half-siblings to less-than-suitable suitors, Jazzi may need to consult some of her shop’s bestselling mysteries to help her uncover a killer . . ."</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>Jazzi Swanson is out of college and co-owner of Tome and Tea bookstore and Tea spot. She is young but determined and a reluctant sleuth because her mother, Daisy Swanson from </span>Daisy Tea Garden Mysteries, was known for investigating murders. Dawn Fernsby is best friend, business partner, and roommate. In many ways Dawn and Jazzi are more like sisters. Oliver is a local upscale pub owner from Australia and a potential romantic interest. Parker is a bookclub participant and software applications developer who, although very subtle, I see as a potential romantic interest as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The mystery has plenty of suspects and Jazzi never intends to investigate but ends doing so anyway. I like the lake setting woven throughout the story. The climax had some harrowing moments as the killer is revealed and Jazzi is in danger. A subplot is extra efforts to bring in more business to the bookstore which provides a touch of realism about the business through the story. A deligtful touch is Jazzi adopting two adorable kittens. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Rating: </b> </span>Excellent - A fun read-it was good.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCutskKNW1EgK1vp7jMIX2r3IJ5N1bunTpxOhdkIA1CiIqMzsqd-y7ZmJ1R6Priq4IVKLonDd_4i7qnUutOy_DSW9NFd676sFDEgI9V4aY_Zm06uqOhzv4u_OcWmaguPe-7FZRcibk_sehr5UGfc2xx9NfPlz987Q4IfpXU0kBNJmhS6gjT8LeCgx6Tk/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCutskKNW1EgK1vp7jMIX2r3IJ5N1bunTpxOhdkIA1CiIqMzsqd-y7ZmJ1R6Priq4IVKLonDd_4i7qnUutOy_DSW9NFd676sFDEgI9V4aY_Zm06uqOhzv4u_OcWmaguPe-7FZRcibk_sehr5UGfc2xx9NfPlz987Q4IfpXU0kBNJmhS6gjT8LeCgx6Tk/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-11985177745248894022023-12-26T10:56:00.003-07:002023-12-26T10:56:26.419-07:00Musings - New Year's Vision Board<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhwwF26j-L6j5Sa-DJcTQfta7l5dthj2iWIdHSQ00OEdJN819j8Qcw0I_NJsDwRjt3qOq_vLcPxA4OYJd0mR78e-Pv_cFBh_XY-0FOJHgMhr362PfL4azNgyodjHx6lVetdTv8Ns9qs6rmFKlojH20O-AwhOzWXp-7VPqyUu3BajHJM4wGWVr2lZpdtM/s2240/Vision%20Board%20Blog%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhwwF26j-L6j5Sa-DJcTQfta7l5dthj2iWIdHSQ00OEdJN819j8Qcw0I_NJsDwRjt3qOq_vLcPxA4OYJd0mR78e-Pv_cFBh_XY-0FOJHgMhr362PfL4azNgyodjHx6lVetdTv8Ns9qs6rmFKlojH20O-AwhOzWXp-7VPqyUu3BajHJM4wGWVr2lZpdtM/w535-h301/Vision%20Board%20Blog%20Banner.jpg" width="535" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A vision board is a collection of images and words that symbolize your goals, dreams and visions of success for what you want to accomplish.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Joyce Marter contributed to HuffPost these thoughts on Vision Boarding:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Think of the idea of "self-fulfilling prophecy. Over and over again, I have seen that if we anticipate an outcome, it is more likely to occur that way because our thoughts precede our behaviors. As author Wayne Dyer said, <i>Our intention creates our reality.</i>”</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Determine your vision for the coming year as the first step.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>Getting Started – Focus on What YOU Want your life to feel and look like. </span>Stretch, if there were nothing -- nothing at all -- to hold you back, what would you like your life in the next year to be like? If there were no limits? Consider these areas of life for some inspiration:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Financial – Money, wealth, and budget</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Relationships – Close friends, family, and close colleagues</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Network – Professional connections, greater community</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Physical – Places and things like where you live, travel, artwork, furniture, etc.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>•</span><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span>Personal</span><span> </span><span>–</span><span> projects, hobbies, </span><span>self development,</span><br /><span>and fun</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Body – Your energy, health, appearance, and clothing, planned </span><span style="font-family: arial;">down-time</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Self – Strengths, talents, and character</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">•</span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Spiritual – Deep connections and sacred spaces</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Nature – The great outdoors and retreats </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A theme may emerge, and you don't have to include every area listed. You may decide to do one vision board for personal life and one for career/business life. Make this fun and play with the opportunity to envision a great year ahead how you really would like to see it with no limits.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Get more specific. Many people think in big concepts such as I want to travel more, I want love in my life, I want a better job. But envision what that actually looks like. Where is the first place you want to travel to? Is it a national park, Paris, or a place of family significance? What should that love life be like? Respectful, a true partner, romantic or practical? That job you want, is it an easy commute, better pay, a respectful boss who encourages growth and challenges you or lets you do your job without interference? Get into what it really means to you and put that on your vision board.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Buy a poster board, cork board, or large paper and gather together pictures and words from magazines, Pinterest, or other print images you find on the internet or maybe draw/paint your own to symbolize and represent your goals. I have even seen Vision Board Kits available on Etsy and even vision board clipart books on Amazon. Yes, there are online-digital versions of vision boards, too. Canva has several vision board templates.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Next, gather scissors, glue, maybe decorative paper and washi tape, and markers. Set aside a good hour or two with a space where you can spread out images you've gathered and work uninterupted. Make it relaxing - a mini retreat - with some inspiring music, maybe some candles or essential oils. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It can be an organized layout with right angles and columns/sections or it can be loose with some overlapping and images at odd angles. It's completely up to you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is also an activity that can be done as a family and teaches children to dream and envision for their future. Also, check your library and local events for vision board workshops.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's best if you place your completed vision board somewhere that you can see it regularly to remind you of your vision, soak into your subconscious, and give consideration and attention to it over the next year. Where is that place for you, an office or personal space? </span><span style="font-family: arial;">If you opted for an </span><span style="font-family: arial;">online-digital vision board, find a way to print it out and display. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So consider the placement and size you'll need. Also, take a photo of it to keep on your phone, maybe use it as the background for your computer. I have also seen a vision book similar to a scrapbook, but again it should be someplace accessible often to look at. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As your dreams are realized, write the date on the image on your board. At the end of the year, review your vision board and circle the images that manifested, so over time you have an on-going record of your fulfilled dreams.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Enjoy the new year, may fantastic books be part of your great year ahead. Let me know in the comments your vision board tips and tricks and how vision boards have worked for you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmplQNdSsepr-5B7cefC0ZhPJmPu5GG2wwVnXOrazDS2iG31NtH2LFRrQG4OB1O_4ORbU1LLSXAEr7dvs6vFTw-xdVE7I7L1MUf76xhxbWXYJiP3rM5IqHUmfcd8tZfXRI10n9h88sMX8eL05GvqWa2jWkVLDLNRDiIjtEev6S5bkvn26L7Ff9TZ5UAI/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmplQNdSsepr-5B7cefC0ZhPJmPu5GG2wwVnXOrazDS2iG31NtH2LFRrQG4OB1O_4ORbU1LLSXAEr7dvs6vFTw-xdVE7I7L1MUf76xhxbWXYJiP3rM5IqHUmfcd8tZfXRI10n9h88sMX8eL05GvqWa2jWkVLDLNRDiIjtEev6S5bkvn26L7Ff9TZ5UAI/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-11235449804150982282023-12-23T23:53:00.000-07:002023-12-23T23:53:20.838-07:00Review - The Curse of Penryth Hall<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If you are a fan of the gothic books from the 1960s thru the 1990s by Victoria Holt, Norah Lofts, Dorothy Eden, Joan Aiken, and many others then you will likely really enjoy this novel. This debut work won the Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel competition. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The gothic atmosphere is deliciously laid out like a banquet. This line sets the stage: "The old Cornish folkways predate even the Romans. There are things that occur there no one can explain, no one dares."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCJrxkrOZhrdGk3PL51p76TdlvdPZcVo6XDMRoc_YOuQ4ak-qQ6gpFUMsoDtssX_2YgujxMWjJT4EPhnGpn_utuLLFxqw7THgu9UpIS6RSm99cGvAyM57_xeRTTtPVEtxc7UiSE3hIB5vSpARMlCvivxsEr8x_aPlu_gkCB2g-98A2BxrgSiRj0zCvlQ/s1500/CurseOfPenrythHall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="987" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCJrxkrOZhrdGk3PL51p76TdlvdPZcVo6XDMRoc_YOuQ4ak-qQ6gpFUMsoDtssX_2YgujxMWjJT4EPhnGpn_utuLLFxqw7THgu9UpIS6RSm99cGvAyM57_xeRTTtPVEtxc7UiSE3hIB5vSpARMlCvivxsEr8x_aPlu_gkCB2g-98A2BxrgSiRj0zCvlQ/w305-h462/CurseOfPenrythHall.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>Author:</b> Jess Armstrong</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Dec 2023 (Minotaur) 329 pgs</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 1st in Ruby Vaughn mystery series</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild, innuendo, adult situations referenced</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Historical cozy, Amateur Sleuth</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Ruby Vaughn, Heiress-prior WW1 ambulance driver and runs a bookstore for an octogenarian</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> August 1922, Cornwall, England</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher for an honest review, Netgalley</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb: </b> "After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A foreboding fortress, Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses—or Pellars—but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next victim: Tamsyn.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To protect her friend, Ruby must work alongside the Pellar to find out what really happened in the orchard that night."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts: </b>I grew up (10 years and on up) reading gothic romances of the sixities, seventies, eighties, and even nineties. I have wanted more recent gothics with a newer writing style to take the gothic genre to new heights. This is the best of the old gothic stories with updated takes and suspense. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span> </span>The characters of Ruby Vaughn (strong and flawed heroine), Ruan Kivell (the local "Pellar," in English folk he practiced Magic and Witchcraft, was a healer, diviner and breaker of spells) a compelling and mysterious man, and Tamysn (the recent widow who appears haunted and terrified) each provide layers and nuances to the story. Although Ruby and Ruan initially butt heads, there is something between Ruby and Ruan, something ancient and mystical that I dearly hope will be further explained in subsequent books. Mr. Owen and Mrs. Penrose are great secondary characters that I'm glad will be returning.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span> </span>The setting of Cornwall with the deep sense of history and persistant old folk ways sets the gothic atmosphere to perfection. The plot has many twists and turns that kept me guessing. The mystery may seem simple at first but it is actually more complex and involved. The lurking image of a ghost, the Pellar's near magic healing abilities, and the family secrets slowly doled out are perfection and kept me reading on and on. The climax was great with some suspense. The wrapup ties up all the loose ends, except whether Ruby and Ruan will see each other again and figure out their strange connection. Something to look forward to, I hope. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> I admit the first chapter or two didn't grab me, but I'm glad I stuck with it because once Sir Edward Chenowyth is murdered the story had me in its spell and I could barely put it down to sleep. I highly recommend. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: </b> Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzcDvAnM2StGu-4KbeuXInzLqsjo3SJNPfQTtyT8EpHpyCXCt2gRjLt8Hm5ivDmSSxpP9IEyM5TgHfMPv0qu1tmYr9FgtnJPlA7JYLI5QqmjAB4KXy3GRt0Ur4aWSi4wx9r-y3_SIxSHOhf5jVEZbDUv8JjBilDskhTH_6I_22MQC-83EB_Gtqphpa5Y/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzcDvAnM2StGu-4KbeuXInzLqsjo3SJNPfQTtyT8EpHpyCXCt2gRjLt8Hm5ivDmSSxpP9IEyM5TgHfMPv0qu1tmYr9FgtnJPlA7JYLI5QqmjAB4KXy3GRt0Ur4aWSi4wx9r-y3_SIxSHOhf5jVEZbDUv8JjBilDskhTH_6I_22MQC-83EB_Gtqphpa5Y/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-86679101619657349042023-12-16T01:28:00.001-07:002023-12-30T00:31:42.649-07:00Mystery Movie Review-A Haunting in Venice vs Hallowe'en Party<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA-JdTHuU7C2L8Lyb9F_8zJJO_VZVAHhcx2DVVmYcZB61G_L5EFrfLdliJyvVaxJUtThuePz9HFyifZEMo41RJQdY7mPaVjGy3yQtgKwqUcap3ycsa4hqHXXAd-mkVz4By-mBzqGFjQCjmbQlPkLe8EH5z5BOr4IqLYzoh-Se8dfDGZsMztTTJtk5ICw/s1242/HauntingInVenice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1242" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcA-JdTHuU7C2L8Lyb9F_8zJJO_VZVAHhcx2DVVmYcZB61G_L5EFrfLdliJyvVaxJUtThuePz9HFyifZEMo41RJQdY7mPaVjGy3yQtgKwqUcap3ycsa4hqHXXAd-mkVz4By-mBzqGFjQCjmbQlPkLe8EH5z5BOr4IqLYzoh-Se8dfDGZsMztTTJtk5ICw/w451-h335/HauntingInVenice.jpg" width="451" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><p><span><br /></span></p>A Haunting in Venice (2023) is <i>very loosely </i></span><i>inspired</i><span> by the 1969 book Halloween Party by Agatha Christie, her 31st novel to feature Hercule Poirot. The only other adaptation/filming of the book was for the Hercules Poirot series in 2007-released 2010 (Season 12 episode 2).</span></span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What's It About:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1947,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> while employing ex–police officer Vitale Portfoglio to act as a bodyguard. On Halloween, mystery writer Ariadne Oliver convinces Poirot to attend a Halloween party and séance at the palazzo of famed opera singer Rowena Drake and to expose Joyce Reynolds, a World War I army nurse turned medium, as a fraud. The palazzo itself is claimed to be haunted by the spirits of children who, when the palazzo was an orphanage, were locked up and left to die when a plague swept through the city, with rumors that the spirits torment any nurses and doctors who dare to enter.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Rowena has hired Joyce to help her commune with her daughter Alicia, who reportedly died by suicide after her fiancé, chef Maxime Gerard, broke off their engagement. Among the guests in attendance are Maxime, Rowena's housekeeper Olga Seminoff, Drake family doctor Leslie Ferrier and his son Leopold, and Joyce's Romani assistant Desdemona Holland.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Director:</b> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Kenneth Branagh</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Writers:</b> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Michael Green and "Agatha Christie"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Stars:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>Kenneth Branagh</i> as Hercule Poirot</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Michelle Yeoh</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Joyce Reynolds</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Jamie Dornan</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Dr. Leslie Ferrier</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Kelly Reilly</i> (Pride & Prejudice)</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Rowena Drake</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Jude Hill</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Leopold Ferrier</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Tina Fey</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Ariadne Oliver</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Dylan Corbett-Bader</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Baker</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Amir El-Masry</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Alessandro</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Longo</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Riccardo Scamarcio</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Vitale Portfoglio</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Fernando Piloni</i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Vincenzo Di Stefano</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Reviews: </span></b><span style="font-family: arial;">Rotten Tomatoes: 76% </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The film received generally positive reviews from critics.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"The film resonates with qualities found in classics of the genre by Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles, and is simultaneously reminiscent in its aggressive theatrical approach to Branagh’s own neo-noir thriller “Dead Again” from 1991." Lee Zumpe of Tampa Bay Newspapers</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"A Haunting in Venice is an adequate mystery, with shadows, mystique and a plot with twists and turns." Marie Asner of Phantom Tollbooth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"It's beautifully shot, perfectly set, and filled with great actors - and it's even mercifully under 2 hours. So if you want a good pre-Halloween snack with some chills and thrills but isn't too much, this is a fun one for you." Paul Salfen of AMFM Magazine</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Trivia </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The film had its red carpet premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square at the West End London on September 11 with none of the cast members in attendance due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Clinched No. 1 on its opening weekend in the UK, Spain and Italy, but not in the USA.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Filmed on location in Venice. Branagh wanted to use as many physical sets possible for filming.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Released on September 15, 2023, Dame Agatha Christie's 133rd birthday.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Michelle Yeoh dropped out of The Electric State (2024) to star in this movie.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As of November 2023, this is the least successful Poirot movie by Kenneth Branagh on the box office world wide.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sir Kenneth Branagh worked with the technical department to cause surprises for the cast. The actors were not warned about lights going out suddenly, or gusts of wind and slamming doors on the sets in which they worked, causing genuine confused and startled reactions from the actors to appear in the film. Kelly Reilly confirmed that filming the seance scene was a terrifying experience saying in an interview, "It scared the bejesus out of me."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dr. Farrier mentions that medical staff accidentally killed the starving concentration camp prisoners they had liberated with milk. This is actually possible, and is caused by a condition known as "Refeeding Syndrome."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Bergen-Belsen, mentioned as the source of Dr. Farrier's trauma, was a real concentration camp during WW2, and was the camp Anne Frank died in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jamie Dornan and Jude Hill previously played father and son in Belfast (2021), also directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Plot is nowhere near the same plot as Christie's book, things are so changed around that it is a different story all together than Agatha Christie and I don't think the changes made the mystery any better. The c</span><span style="font-family: arial;">haracters may have had the same names but were completely changed and the motive and setups of murder and even killer were all different. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The acting had some shining stars, in particular </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Michelle Yeoh as the medium and twelve-year-old </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jude Hill as the boy Leopold Ferrier gave outstanding performances. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Jamie Dornan</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Dr. Leslie Ferrier and Kelly Reilly as Rowena Drake gave a good performances as well.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> The music was particularly well done and added to the near horror mood. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Cinematography was dark (everything is dark, darker than the prior two) but intense and has the signature Branagh camera angles and style.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If I look at this as a mystery in the tradition of Christie only, I would consider it an entertaining and spooky movie, not necesarrily great, but enough.</span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yEddsSwweyE?si=LS5-IH_HCno7jD90" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWJNs3YRtQMs-rKOKIxuH7aMlJTwuatPrCGH9kW5NhUWK4TuepVh1W_VXdmXaRFD6bFAdhxoll08RKcGSYvQ5KYd4_rUtMtCzt7GULlNWe3RzeOtbWnKgXOtPyeInx-2PlAlqyYW-3q4weyZtB-VRDM7EsIJCG3ssC6vNaGWWlLd65BYBnrCf7gsPp7M/s1640/HalloweenPartyHerculesPoirot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWJNs3YRtQMs-rKOKIxuH7aMlJTwuatPrCGH9kW5NhUWK4TuepVh1W_VXdmXaRFD6bFAdhxoll08RKcGSYvQ5KYd4_rUtMtCzt7GULlNWe3RzeOtbWnKgXOtPyeInx-2PlAlqyYW-3q4weyZtB-VRDM7EsIJCG3ssC6vNaGWWlLd65BYBnrCf7gsPp7M/w515-h289/HalloweenPartyHerculesPoirot.jpg" width="515" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p>Original "Halloween Party" Season 12 Episode 2 July 2007</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">During an English village's Hallowe'en party held in a mannor home, a young girl boasts of having witnessed a murder from years before. No one believes her tale until her body is found later on in the evening, drowned in the apple-bobbing bucket.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The popular author who was at the party contacts Poirot to rush to the village and solve the young girl's murder. He believes the girl's death is because she claimed to witness a murder several years prior and sets about to discover who was murdered years before (probably what was thought a suicide) and uncover who killed the young girl to keep the murder she claimed to witness quiet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">David Sucket is the epitome of Christie's character and brings some humor to Poirot in this movie as well as his sensitivity to young people. The story follows the book pretty closely. The story is a little dark and has gothic/spooky touches but not bordering on horror atmosphere. At no point in the story is Poirot disturbed by the deaths, mystery, or "haunted" by the spirits like the 2023 version.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Filmed at:</b><span> Beckley Park, Beckley, Oxfordshire, England, UK (In particular: Topiary garden of the Drake residence) </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I really enjoy the original for its being close to the book. It is a classic British mystery with plenty of twists upon twists in the plot. <i>David Suchet is the embodiment of Hercules Poirot-full stop. </i>Although I enjoy Peter Ustinov's portrayals, David Suchet became Poirot completely and his acting is nuanced. For this reason I always enjoy watching his portrayals of the greatest detective. This version isn't as flashy or fast paced as Haunting, but I find it more entertaining since I enjoy British paced mysteries. I will probably watch this version again and again, but not the 2023 Haunting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">DID YOU SEE BOTH? What did you think of them? Leave a comment please.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_4ypEmJlfn8?si=Vicxq97_RDb-ohWz" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKNKlQhmTRAfdCLsLn-BPv-s67UnHINrIRureiaFsva8i9xgTTX3xGzWtzxJr9LvEv4JZnQL-XudQQXi4O9Tq4yMpbyrthzrkM05vWuwKB-nf8AgGdw9i6lq1b5ElMfOe1MglOSBSEGusesKx3gC_h9PDb28OM8qAEWH-4-se2GpvAdthWvLgwDbO_kw/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKNKlQhmTRAfdCLsLn-BPv-s67UnHINrIRureiaFsva8i9xgTTX3xGzWtzxJr9LvEv4JZnQL-XudQQXi4O9Tq4yMpbyrthzrkM05vWuwKB-nf8AgGdw9i6lq1b5ElMfOe1MglOSBSEGusesKx3gC_h9PDb28OM8qAEWH-4-se2GpvAdthWvLgwDbO_kw/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-21418141510657879662023-10-28T15:11:00.001-06:002023-10-28T15:11:10.619-06:00Review - Snow Place for Murder<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> Get into the winter and holiday mood with this book. We are up to the third in this series that I have been following since the beginning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1) Getaway with Murder (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2022/09/review-getaway-with-murder.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">2) A Trip with Trouble (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2023/01/review-trip-with-trouble.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BUFjioyZITA3TcO6KddGhZgWxZWOwgYpjmF85DtMeFVvALMjB8sD59yPWVQANYDOrx2PIQP7E1nT1yGCxvZs0Ub02PolQ_3-qMRFEumoliXUxbBiGSBrIX0FkOdF37M-NDG14yRM6UYimxM9m8pkJRMOoO6rXuT6-_8JKmt8GrQPuMUdYuQ_DSGXOiM/s1500/SnowPlaceForMurder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="916" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BUFjioyZITA3TcO6KddGhZgWxZWOwgYpjmF85DtMeFVvALMjB8sD59yPWVQANYDOrx2PIQP7E1nT1yGCxvZs0Ub02PolQ_3-qMRFEumoliXUxbBiGSBrIX0FkOdF37M-NDG14yRM6UYimxM9m8pkJRMOoO6rXuT6-_8JKmt8GrQPuMUdYuQ_DSGXOiM/w320-h525/SnowPlaceForMurder.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Diane Kelly</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> October 2023 (Berkley) 298 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 3rd in Mountain Lodge Mysteries</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Cozy, amateur sleuth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Misty Murphy, Owner of Mountaintop Lodge</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> Modern day, Blue Ridge Mountains</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Publisher (via Netgalley) for honest review</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb:</b> "International resort developer Nigel Goodwin has traveled all the way from London, England to Misty Murphy’s little corner of North Carolina and bought out the Mountaintop Lodge for the week prior to Christmas. Their intention? To pitch an exclusive new resort concept to wealthy American investors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But locals are at odds over the idea, and when a group comes to the lodge to express their worries to Mr. Goodwin and the potential investors, a blizzard hits Beech Mountain. Like the weather outside, things quickly get frosty, and Misty has to call local police to intervene. Handyman Rocky Crowder plows the lodge’s drive and, in an attempt to regain a jovial holiday atmosphere, smooths the snow pile into a makeshift sledding hill for the guests to enjoy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Misty’s boys have finished their exams and are “home” from college for the winter break, planning to spend most of their time snowboarding at the ski resort. While taking a few runs down Rocky’s sledding hill, they discover a funny-looking, nose-shaped rock. Only it’s not a rock. It’s the frozen nose of Nigel Goodwin, who’s found dead and buried under the mound of snow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Who put the developer on ice and why?" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b> Misty Murphy is a great main character, level headed, thoughtful, intelligent, and hard working. Her developing relationship with Rocky Crowder is delightful. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This series always has such a sense of place and this is no exception. The wintery mountains are brought alive to the point you can nearly smell the pine with a tinge of fireplace smoke and feel the chill. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If you particularly enjoy books where you feel part of the family, this is the book for you. Join Misty for Thanksgiving and then Christmas with her two boys and Rocky's daughter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I do have to say that the murder and investigation don't happen until well into the book. Some may be surprised by that since so many books now have the murder in the first chapter of two. But it is worth the wait. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As for solving whodunit, I didn't have a strong candidate, they all seemed equally likely. The subtle clues didn't stand out for me, but they are there. The killer reveal wasn't perilous, but had its own excitement. I am enjoying this series as it progresses and recommend.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating: </b>Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYiXLnWkvS_d1EedvhOM15ZsMe3KlON75wg9X6betiu2Am84gUxmFhg-xu50Pqr9XywwGAp8cMWJ6qllM13UJjlOAVliqwoonvRUVJus3BQjKdEknyeBKW6ifpi3mms1aBrvH7cY7f-Yj3PSQZtzprgEnZQzi889hm7m1zV8s0z0OVMJ5y7lXfrLwCls/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYiXLnWkvS_d1EedvhOM15ZsMe3KlON75wg9X6betiu2Am84gUxmFhg-xu50Pqr9XywwGAp8cMWJ6qllM13UJjlOAVliqwoonvRUVJus3BQjKdEknyeBKW6ifpi3mms1aBrvH7cY7f-Yj3PSQZtzprgEnZQzi889hm7m1zV8s0z0OVMJ5y7lXfrLwCls/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-29372672601054078312023-10-22T22:23:00.007-06:002023-10-22T22:23:58.726-06:00Review - A Counterfeit Suitor<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> This is a favorite series, a "must read" on my list. I have missed it and caught up with it here.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">First book "A Useful Woman" (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2016/05/review-useful-woman.html" target="_blank">click here</a>), </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Second book "A Purely Private Affair" (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2017/05/review-purely-private-matter.html" target="_blank">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Shird book "And Dangerous To Know" (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2020/07/review-and-dangerous-to-know.html" rel="nofollow">click here</a>)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Fourth book "A Lady Compromised" no review</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Two guest posts (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2016/05/guest-author-post-darcie-wilde.html" target="_blank">click here</a> and <a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2017/05/author-guest-post-darcie-wilde.html" target="_blank">here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xUrpXzLeRTgfkuTdZVahp8X4M5Uloed6GT9Uuogd55gAraWc0sYo8Lky3GC5bEJqiLdw8lOJqQA67HHswoFpRQPB8l_8k8wH8diNEh2_1iBxZDuXRDatUg2zT1IHGUPBoJVteJaVOpl1l423zWtrjPEJcANLY7gIKx2yHeKqpItqzl16M3qheFoXMG8/s1500/CounterfeitSuitor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xUrpXzLeRTgfkuTdZVahp8X4M5Uloed6GT9Uuogd55gAraWc0sYo8Lky3GC5bEJqiLdw8lOJqQA67HHswoFpRQPB8l_8k8wH8diNEh2_1iBxZDuXRDatUg2zT1IHGUPBoJVteJaVOpl1l423zWtrjPEJcANLY7gIKx2yHeKqpItqzl16M3qheFoXMG8/w328-h493/CounterfeitSuitor.jpg" width="328" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Darcie Wilde</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> Nov 2021 (Kensington Books) 442 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series: </b>5th in Rosalind Thorne Mysteries</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> n/a</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre: </b>Historical Cozy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Rosalind Thorne</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> Early 1800s (Regency,) London</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through: </b>library</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb:</b> "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 . . .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">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..." </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rosalind still reminds me of a proper British version of <i>True Grit's</i> 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. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><b>Rating: </b></span>Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU_qpGk0LYwhj6mIq6F9oCL09hGFxXqkzuQ_8C00k3oYvQfMtU6vfB3ML6eFk7VLklK5o3a6AgNBby-7MPS38nvUOEqxaZFEjGDKn9xBEnETza09zl_-AzTJz-BzplOVrpNJfJMM9chxLSmnUWp2H91MIzANBt3EVJzo0cQjKQyYK2QGL_BlNo05dKt4/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU_qpGk0LYwhj6mIq6F9oCL09hGFxXqkzuQ_8C00k3oYvQfMtU6vfB3ML6eFk7VLklK5o3a6AgNBby-7MPS38nvUOEqxaZFEjGDKn9xBEnETza09zl_-AzTJz-BzplOVrpNJfJMM9chxLSmnUWp2H91MIzANBt3EVJzo0cQjKQyYK2QGL_BlNo05dKt4/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-92003296999522985252023-10-17T16:39:00.000-06:002023-10-17T16:39:27.292-06:00Musings - Cozy, Traditional, and Amateur Sleuth<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkQsRXeWjEdQRiLIhlaUxFV6Z5h5PHhc7_MJluQ0kihBb_XCJRJJzZuj4divFFPBaqmknSHf8c7stx9Xv5Dk9t-50fiLWsU4X6WvTKirrZrmOladHXhyphenhyphenFMZjeUTCWeH0z6t-v9yfMGKrCMSMo-BRxUkUKw8RulB7EnXUc7F4ephIWktkBmYfLzoP5R4I/s600/MysteryDefinitions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkQsRXeWjEdQRiLIhlaUxFV6Z5h5PHhc7_MJluQ0kihBb_XCJRJJzZuj4divFFPBaqmknSHf8c7stx9Xv5Dk9t-50fiLWsU4X6WvTKirrZrmOladHXhyphenhyphenFMZjeUTCWeH0z6t-v9yfMGKrCMSMo-BRxUkUKw8RulB7EnXUc7F4ephIWktkBmYfLzoP5R4I/s16000/MysteryDefinitions1.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span>When I tell people I'm an author they inevitably ask what I write. When I reply cozy mysteries they either light up and mention their favorite series or they stare blankly and ask what is a cozy. Somehow when I simply answer I write mysteries, the broad term ends up confusing them. Every genre has subgenres that further narrow the field. A cozy fan will know exactly what they expect, but they too will get confused by the differences an amateur sleuth or a traditional mystery. There are certainly many elements in common, but there are distinct difference between the three. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Are the following categories absolute? No, they aren't. But they are a good guideline, particularly if you are a reader trying to stay away from hard core violence or other sensitive content. If you are a writer, this helps you know your audience and how to classify what you've written. What I have included here actually took some research because some views vary. This is a fairly good guideline, but amatuer sleuths and traditional mysteries seem to have more wiggle room.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Cozy mysteries: </b>almost always have an amateur sleuth with an occupation (baking, crafting, innkeeping) or hobby theme that's a hook for a segment of readers. Cozies invariably include colorful friends and frenemies, pets, no bad language, no explicit sex on the page, no gory descriptions, and take place in a small town or a tight community in a larger city.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The cozy focuses on the relationship between the characters as much as, if not more than, solving the mystery. As I like to put it, cozies are the kinder, gentler murder mystery. They have a more positive outlook and the murder disrupts the peace and sense of safety and the hero(ine) seeks to heal the community by bringing the killer to justice. Examples: "Murder, She Wrote: Trick or Treachery" by Jessica Fletcher, "The Cat Who Saw Red" by Lillian Jackson Braun, "Strawberry Shortcake Murder" by Joanne Fluke, and "On What Grounds" by Cleo Coyle </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Amateur Sleuth:</b> Although all cozies feature an amateur sleuth, not all amateur sleuth mysteries are cozies. They may contain a few swear words sprinkled throughout and may have a stronger sense of sex without it being explicit, and may have more violence on the page. It is more common to have a larger city but still have a tight pool of suspects for an amateur to identify and snoop around, although I've read several that were in small towns. Amateur sleuth novels can have an emotional environment between the tight cohesiveness of a cozy to a slightly more jaded outlook. Examples: "The Crossing Places by Ruth Galloway", " The Woman in the Library" by Sulari Gentill, "One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich [Stephanie Plum isn't a trained police official or investigator for hire so she is an amateur sleuth].</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Traditional mysteries:</b> Can be a lot like a cozy if you strip away the themed hook of cooking etc. occupation or common hobby. The focus is definitely more on the mystery than building a close-knit community. Drop the eccentric or kooky friends and provide more developed and deeper characters. There may be a similar jaded outlook like the amateur sleuth but likely more twists and turns plus blood than a cozy. The hero(ine) may have a tougher background that makes them good at understanding criminals, but their ability to understand the dark side of human nature is most important. The small cast of characters includes the villain and a confined setting such as a small town or an isolated mansion. The plot focuses on solving the murder and “fair play” ( all clues are provided for the reader to solve the murder) is emphasized. Examples: "The French Powder Mystery" by Ellery Queen, "One by One" by Ruth Ware, and "The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side" and "Then There Were None" both by Agatha Christie. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Each of these can have elements of other genres. A cozy paranormal will have a fun witch or such. Example: "First Bite" by Avery Daniels and "Witch and Famous" by Angela Sanders. A historical cozy or amateur sleuth will meet all the specifications mentioned but be placed in a historical setting. Example: "A Body in the Garden" by Katharine Schellman and "A Lady's Guide to Ettiquette and Murder" by Dianne Freeman.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I hope you enjoyed this foray into the cozy, traditional, and amateur sleuth genres. May this guide you in increasing your TBR stack! You're welcome *wink*.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLGbvI5SrtO-90ZahfWgGhCy-ZwifwzUrdghx3KBLn4CoH8lPT-qr582_a4JIuPKfjyiUO2B9FbKEgOZIGpHt-AWKYsLE7jj3m-7LgZO-2s-vomxs4qkJtClvDNKKDT4LQw7cLAi-LKCUdxiXj6d0BfaKkMIk6NxrkoBpLiM0HugaTwlvSllDGinMp5I/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLGbvI5SrtO-90ZahfWgGhCy-ZwifwzUrdghx3KBLn4CoH8lPT-qr582_a4JIuPKfjyiUO2B9FbKEgOZIGpHt-AWKYsLE7jj3m-7LgZO-2s-vomxs4qkJtClvDNKKDT4LQw7cLAi-LKCUdxiXj6d0BfaKkMIk6NxrkoBpLiM0HugaTwlvSllDGinMp5I/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436693488493674576.post-27753389942218909182023-10-13T17:08:00.001-06:002023-10-13T17:16:52.523-06:00Review - Key to Deceit/Playing it Safe<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">1) A Peculiar Combination (<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/06/review-peculiar-combination.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Guest Post: </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">(<a href="https://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com/2021/05/guest-post-ashley-weaver.html" target="_blank">click here</a>) </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I realized I hadn't done my review of the second book in this series when I was ready to write my review for the third. So, you get both books in this one post. I love the premise of this series, a safe craker using her unique skills to aid British Intelligence during WW2. Read on to find out how the second and third books "stack up".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The author has also written the Amory Ames Mysteries that I have reviewed.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">The Key to Deceit </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5IR3AwYG_Zgdf5jGHTjQjl8eyeebdw-ARk48RO_xjbz3v-Dy9tXlOUxwsNOUvuAzZntSwwM6RByFQYry5qvNtFqdmVOflu7pu9PTm1OXsqdamY6vIdYzsz85iHEhGzJDu2SM_EuPLsMUPYdPc2ofSa0Kd0z3mTSr7Hg3rBSUWfiPK8_LXBxFSp-DV2s/s1532/KeyToDeceit.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1008" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5IR3AwYG_Zgdf5jGHTjQjl8eyeebdw-ARk48RO_xjbz3v-Dy9tXlOUxwsNOUvuAzZntSwwM6RByFQYry5qvNtFqdmVOflu7pu9PTm1OXsqdamY6vIdYzsz85iHEhGzJDu2SM_EuPLsMUPYdPc2ofSa0Kd0z3mTSr7Hg3rBSUWfiPK8_LXBxFSp-DV2s/w336-h509/KeyToDeceit.jpg" width="336" /></a></b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Ashley Weaver</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> June 2022 (Minotaur) 288 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 2nd in Electra McDonnell Mysteries</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> Mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Intrigue</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Character:</b> Electra McDonnell, a safe-cracking thief aiding the war effort </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> 1942 London during WWII</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Personal purchase</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb: </b>"London, 1940. After years of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor―well, to themselves, anyway―Ellie McDonnell and her family have turned over a new leaf as they help the government’s war effort. It’s true that the straight-laced Major Ramsey didn’t give them much choice, but still, Ellie must admit she doesn’t miss breaking and entering as much as she might have thought. What she does miss is the challenge of unlocking an impossible code and the adrenaline rush that comes from being somewhere she shouldn’t.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So when Major Ramsey turns up unannounced with another job, she can’t say no. A woman’s body has been found floating in the Thames, with a bracelet locked onto her wrist, and a cameo locket attached to it. It’s clear this woman was involved in espionage, but whose side was she on? Who was she reporting to? And who wanted her dead?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b> In addition to the job Major Ramsey enlists her to do, Ellie is looking into her mother's death in jail for the murder of her father. She has a lot going on and the fast changing world around her is another challenge. Major Ramsey initially was seeking Uncle Mick to do the job, but Mick was unavailable so he resorts to Ellie. He seems reluctant to involve Ellie much, either from the danger of the job or of spending time together. Long time forger friend-of-the-family Felix Lacey is working to be closer to Electra and she cares for him but is it romantically or more a friend? Uncle Mick and the housekeeper Nacy are absolute gems and stand out secondary characters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The plot has a murder to solve but is also full of intrigue. The climatic confrontation was spot on with high stakes and no room for mistakes. This was complex enough to keep me glued to the pages. But more than that, the author delivers an absorbing setting with layered characters. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Rating:</b> Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlppVRVIVVhIJTndi_IMHSI4lZoftGt4oClIeh7kjodNMZuqRZrkgFaC2lCzVpuszAr55VQoAqmHqxUNrqHF22HcFn4ChSc-tLS4St5ylIf2mToDJSn4WGocYERAE1TVb3jlDzJ7E-0BTP2O5n3hZcl-lKe5dm49ZqDcJo_D4GFUD6AUSm2KDUOGLn18/s1368/image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="900" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlppVRVIVVhIJTndi_IMHSI4lZoftGt4oClIeh7kjodNMZuqRZrkgFaC2lCzVpuszAr55VQoAqmHqxUNrqHF22HcFn4ChSc-tLS4St5ylIf2mToDJSn4WGocYERAE1TVb3jlDzJ7E-0BTP2O5n3hZcl-lKe5dm49ZqDcJo_D4GFUD6AUSm2KDUOGLn18/w356-h539/image.png" width="356" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Playing it Safe</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Ashley Weaver</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Copyright:</b> May 2023 (Minotaur) 272 pgs</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Series:</b> 3rd in Electra McDonnell Mysteries</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Sensuality:</b> Mild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Mystery Sub-genre:</b> Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Intrigue</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Main Characters:</b> Electra McDonnell, a safe-cracking thief aiding the war effort </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Setting:</b> 1942 London during WWII</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Obtained Through:</b> Library</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Book Blurb:</b> "As the Blitz continues to ravage London, Ellie McDonnell—formerly a safecracking thief, but currently determined to stay on the straight and narrow to help her country—is approached by British Intelligence officer Major Ramsey with a new assignment. She is to travel under an assumed identity to the port city of Sunderland and there await further instructions. In his usual infuriating way, the Major has left her task as vague and mysterious as possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ellie, ever-ready to aid her country, heads north, her safecracking tools in tow. But before she can rendezvous with the major, she witnesses an unnatural death. A man falls dead in the street in front of her, with a note clutched in his hand. Ellie’s instincts tell her that the man’s death is connected in some way to her mission.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Soon, Ellie and the major are locked in a battle of wits and a race against time with an unknown and deadly adversary, and a case that leads them to a possible Nazi counterfeiting operation. With bombs dropping on the city and a would-be assassin shadowing their every move, it will take all of Ellie’s resourcefulness and Major Ramsey’s fortitude to unmask the spymaster and avert disastrous consequences—for England and for their own lives." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b> Ellie is a great heroine in the midst of a national crisis who steps up on many levels to the challenge of the times and her circumstances. Major Ramsey is the epitome of a strict military man with a pinch of high society untouchable air for this slow burn attraction to keep me coming back. Felix Lacey is still in the picture, for this is more complex than two men interested her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ellie being away from her family in an unfamiliar city creates a sense of isolation and uncertainty. I appreciated the counterfeiting aspect since this was a real tactic used in the war. The bombings hammering the country every night and the emotional toll is touched on as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This was another page-turner with a sense of cat-and-mouse against a hidden spy master and a killer loose. There was a twist or two to mix things up and keep me on my toes. Plus the subplot of following up on the mystery of her mother has a significant development. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This has become a must-read series for me and the sub-plot of Major Ramsey and Ellie's undeniable and growing attraction makes waiting for the next book torture. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Ratings:</b> Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i><b>Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIXBU4jQWE-e-ppAupHxrW5dBSrzpqrWCl-psQo8xeYtUV8WzhsXaqC-wJj8a-qLfADl6Z15kCdYZRGVeAuYAi6y3CGuGBsxayL3YfkiMvOJGt75zsERwoG-xsfA_Guq52y9xscETMsx-gw_4gjjH2wAbw3k3Ei15w9hO9iDjj25DYgQR89BODJQnCpw/s475/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIXBU4jQWE-e-ppAupHxrW5dBSrzpqrWCl-psQo8xeYtUV8WzhsXaqC-wJj8a-qLfADl6Z15kCdYZRGVeAuYAi6y3CGuGBsxayL3YfkiMvOJGt75zsERwoG-xsfA_Guq52y9xscETMsx-gw_4gjjH2wAbw3k3Ei15w9hO9iDjj25DYgQR89BODJQnCpw/s16000/Blog-signature-NEW.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>A.F. Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12300113406228013929noreply@blogger.com0